Overview
- A cluster of surface-level tremors struck on Tuesday, Aug. 18, with the largest measured at magnitude 4.7 at 10:37 a.m. local time near Gójar, according to Spain’s National Geographic Institute.
- The shallow origin of the strongest quake increased local shaking and caused visible damage such as large wall cracks, dislodged facades and falling debris in parts of Granada province.
- At least three people were lightly injured, one a minor taken to hospital, and emergency services received hundreds of calls reporting damage and anxiety-related cases.
- Authorities moved quickly to assess safety by restricting tourist access to parts of the Alhambra, reducing metro speeds to 30 kph, evacuating some hotels and closing municipal buildings for inspection.
- Officials say the August 18 tremors are part of a continuing sequence that began after Saturday’s magnitude-5.0 quake, raising short-term risks for heritage conservation, tourism and building safety in the area.