Earthquake rocks Spain’s tourist jewel Granada

Granada, a beloved tourist destination in southern Spain, was rattled by a rare 5.0-magnitude earthquake early Saturday morning. The quake’s epicenter was in Alhendin, approximately 10km south of Granada, according to the National Geographical Institute (IGN). No injuries or major structural damage have been reported thus far. Isolated damage is being assessed, particularly in vulnerable buildings.

Granada’s mayor, Marifran Carazo, reported receiving over 200 calls from emergency services across the region, including Seville, Cordoba, and the Costa del Sol. Cracks have appeared, with elements like ledges, rubble, and walls falling from some structures, according to Andalusian emergency services. They advised residents to remain calm, avoid facades, ledges, balconies, and walls that might collapse, and refrain from unnecessary entry or exit from buildings.

Spanish media shared images of Granada’s streets strewn with rubble and cars with smashed windows. One resident, Marta Mayorga Fernandez, told public broadcaster RTVE that the shaking was so intense it woke her from sleep. She noticed damaged door fronts on many buildings and shared photos of belongings that had fallen from shelves.

While small earthquakes in Spain’s most populous region are common, they rarely reach a magnitude of 5. Granada is renowned for its UNESCO-listed Alhambra palace, a masterpiece of medieval Islamic architecture that once housed the rulers of Spain’s last Muslim kingdom.