Fresh earthquakes shake Granada, injuring three and forcing Alhambra evacuation

Three individuals sustained minor injuries and buildings suffered damage following a magnitude 4.8 earthquake that struck Granada, Spain, on Tuesday. The epicenter was located northwest of Gójar, just south of the city, at a depth of five kilometers. This quake is one of the strongest recorded in the province since August 14 and matches the magnitude of a major earthquake near Alhendín on August 15.

Following the initial quake, several aftershocks were felt, including a magnitude 3.9 at 10:53 am and another magnitude 4.3 near Alhendín at 11:35 am. Additional tremors, measuring 4.2 and 4.3, were recorded in Alhendín at 12:39 pm. Smaller earthquakes were also detected in Gójar and Las Gabias, with magnitudes ranging from 2.6 to 2.9.

The Andalusian regional government reported that three people suffered light injuries, with one teenager taken to the hospital. Buildings in Granada city sustained damage, with cracks appearing in walls and masonry, and falling debris on pavements. Granada City Council raised its response to emergency operational level 1 and ordered inspections of affected homes and buildings. Nine locations in Granada city were impacted, causing seven streets to close due to falling masonry and damaged façades.

Granada's emergency services received numerous calls, with local police handling 229 calls, firefighters responding to 168, and the municipal service receiving 61 requests. The mayor urged residents to report any structural damage they found and emphasized the importance of remaining calm during ongoing seismic activity. Authorities advised people to stay indoors during further tremors and avoid areas near building façades.

The Alhambra, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, was partially evacuated as a precaution, with visitors evacuated from the Nasrid Palaces and Alcazaba.