The earth shook again in Granada with force. Shortly after 01:04 a.m. on August 15, a magnitude 5,0 earthquake, according to the National Geographic Institute (IGN), woke the entire province and much of Andalusia. The epicenter was located in the municipality of Alhendín, at a depth initially estimated at two kilometers and later adjusted to ten, which explains the intensity with which the tremor was felt in the capital and its metropolitan area. The earthquake, which lasted several seconds, caused significant material damage, although authorities quickly confirmed that there were no casualties.
The magnitude of the tremor led the Andalusian Regional Government to activate the emergency phase, operational level 1, of its Seismic Risk Plan. The Minister of the Presidency, Health, and Emergencies, Antonio Sanz, addressed the media to report the initial assessment: “There are no serious injuries,” he stated, although minor health incidents were reported, such as anxiety attacks and minor injuries from falls. Emergency services handled more than 200 calls related to the earthquake , and firefighters carried out dozens of operations to secure cornices, facades, and other elements at risk of collapse.
An earthquake that was felt in half of Spain
The earthquake was not limited to Granada. According to data from the National Geographic Institute (IGN), the tremor was felt in more than 500 municipalities across five autonomous communities: Andalusia, Murcia, Castile-La Mancha, Extremadura, and the Community of Madrid. In areas closest to the epicenter, the intensity reached levels V and VI, while in more distant locations, such as the Spanish capital, it dropped to level II . Towns like Alcalá de Henares, Fuenlabrada, Getafe, Leganés, Madrid, Móstoles, Parla, Pinto, Torrejón de Ardoz, Arganda del Rey, and Valdemoro experienced a slight swaying, according to citizen reports collected by the IGN.
In the rest of Andalusia, the tremor was felt in every province except Huelva and Cádiz. From the Málaga coast, with towns like Marbella, Estepona, and Fuengirola, to the eastern coast of Almería, passing through Jaén, Córdoba, and Seville. Residents of the Granada coast, such as Almuñécar, Salobreña, and Motril, also felt the tremor , as did the Alpujarra region and the western part of the province. In Castilla-La Mancha, the tremors reached Toledo, Ciudad Real, Albacete, and Cuenca; in Extremadura, Badajoz, Cáceres, and Don Benito; and in Murcia, Lorca, Águilas, Mula, Bullas, Caravaca de la Cruz, Cehegín, and Calasparra.
The feeling was especially intense in the city of Granada and its surrounding area, where thousands of people took to the streets in fear and chose to spend the night outdoors in squares and parks. The fear of being trapped in tall buildings led many to not return home , while the severe storms that battered the area added further drama to an already tense night. In Armilla, the City Council opened parks and a sports complex to accommodate those who did not want to return to their homes.
Expert responses and warnings
Following the main earthquake, the earth continued to tremble. The National Geographic Institute (IGN) recorded dozens of aftershocks during the early morning hours, totaling 93 seismic events, 13 of which were felt by the population. The first aftershock arrived just six minutes after the main earthquake, with its epicenter in Gójar and a magnitude of 2,6 . Other tremors of lesser intensity were located in Otura, La Zubia, Ogíjares, Alhendín, and Armilla, occurring intermittently throughout the night.
Regional Minister Antonio Sanz confirmed that the seismic risk advisory committee would remain active, as experts anticipate more aftershocks, albeit of lesser intensity. The situation is reminiscent of the 2021 earthquake swarm, which lasted for three months with thousands of tremors . Eduardo Martos, head of Emergency Services for the Granada Provincial Council, indicated that the expected aftershocks could be around 3 or 3,5 on the Richter scale, and emphasized that, for the moment, there is no serious structural damage. However, he warned that inspections will be carried out in the most affected municipalities, such as Alhendín, Armilla, Las Gabias, La Zubia, Churriana de la Vega, and the Granada neighborhood of El Zaidín, to assess any potential damage that could be exacerbated by further tremors.
The President of the Regional Government of Andalusia, Juanma Moreno, used his social media profile to urge calm and caution: “A night of alarm and unease in Granada with a magnitude 5 earthquake that has caused some material damage and was felt in several provinces. Stay calm, be very careful with any damaged cornices or facades that could still break off, and please follow all the recommendations.” Moreno stressed the need to be extremely cautious of potential falling debris and reminded everyone that the most common damage usually occurs to non-structural elements.
Property damage and assistance to residents
The material damage was concentrated mainly on cornices, false ceilings, windows, and formwork. In the city of Granada, the most significant incidents were recorded in the southern area, especially in the El Zaidín neighborhood, where municipal technicians inspected homes. There were also pieces falling from the façade of the Church of La Magdalena and at the Padre Suárez Institute, where a gargoyle fell . In Armilla, fallen cornices were reported on Camino del Jueves, and in La Zubia and Gójar, municipal buildings and the town's church were inspected.
Firefighters in Granada received over a hundred calls requesting inspections, and spokespeople stated that, although the earthquake was intense, "this may be the peak of the aftermath." Water and gas leaks were also reported on several streets, as well as the precautionary evacuation of some hotels, such as the Luna, the Saray, and the Alhamar , due to potential structural damage. Despite this, the Granada City Council reported in a statement that no serious or widespread damage had been reported, and that the incidents consisted mainly of minor damage to non-structural elements.
The city's most iconic monument, the Alhambra, opened its doors at 11:00 AM, three hours later than usual, after a specialized team carried out a thorough inspection of its palaces, walls, and gardens. The technicians confirmed that no significant issues had been detected , and the monumental complex reopened to the public as normal.
Recommendations and self-protection
Given the possibility of further aftershocks, Civil Protection and the Andalusian Emergency Agency have issued a series of recommendations. The first is to remain calm and avoid spreading rumors or unverified information. During an earthquake, the appropriate action is to crouch down, take cover under a sturdy table, and hold on until the shaking stops , moving away from windows, lamps, and objects that could fall. If you are outdoors, stay away from building facades, cornices, balconies, walls, and utility poles.
It is also reminded that the stairs should be used instead of the elevator, and that if cracks or damage are observed in the building, one should move away and report it to 112. Antonio Sanz stressed the importance of respecting the barriers and areas cordoned off by the city councils , since “there may be cornices that haven't fallen yet, but could collapse with a tremor of two or three degrees.” Authorities recommend walking as far away from building walls as possible and following only the instructions from official channels.
The earthquake has once again highlighted the seismic activity of Granada, one of the areas on the Iberian Peninsula with the highest frequency of tremors. Although most are of low magnitude, this event was the most intense since 1955, when a similar earthquake was recorded in Armilla. The population, accustomed to these phenomena, has shown concern but also a resilient attitude , as one resident explained: “We are worried, but we have to be patient.”
As the hours pass, life in Granada is attempting to return to normal, though with eyes fixed on the sky and the ground. Technicians continue to assess the damage, and authorities maintain their special operation. The night of tremors has left behind material damage, but fortunately, no casualties . The experience of 2021, when a seismic swarm lasted for months, now serves as a reference point for calmly facing any possible aftershocks. Meanwhile, the people of Granada are catching their breath and following the recommendations of experts, aware that the earth, this time, has once again reminded them that they live in a seismic zone.