HOTELS have been evacuated after a 5.0-magnitude earthquake rocked Spain overnight, leaving a trail of destruction behind.
A state of emergency has been declared in the southern city of Granada after buildings collapsed and rocks crushed cars – sending terrified locals and tourists running from their homes and rented accommodation.
Panic broke out as the horror tremor struck, and was then followed by 12 others.
Jaw-dropping footage on social media showed chaos unfolding at around 1am local time, including tourists rushing to the street clutching suitcases.
Homes and cars were heavily damaged – with some roads seen split in half by cracks caused by the powerful jolt.
Andalusian emergency services have rescued a number of people from damaged buildings.
The temblor was felt across Andalusia and as far as Madrid, with locals reporting shakes in Malaga, Sevilla, Cordoba, Jaen and Almeria.
Antonio Sanz Cabello, vice-president of the Andalusian government, said that authorities had declared an emergency.
“If you are in Granada, you have felt the earthquake, you are okay, and your home shows no damage, stay calm and avoid entering and exiting buildings unnecessarily,” he wrote on X.
“On the street, stay away from facades, cornices, balconies, walls, and other elements that could fall.”
Regional authorities reported that emergency services received around 200 calls, but no casualties have been reported so far.
Callers reported falling objects, shaking furniture and rattling doors and windows.
The earthquake caused structural damage across the area, with residents reporting cracks in structures, collapses – including entire walls – and damage to several buildings.
One witness said: “We really felt the shaking, it was so strong that it woke us up.”
The local said she saw “quite a lot of places with damaged door fronts” and that pals had shared photos of items that had fallen from shelves.
Another Granada local told The Olive Press: “I could see water sloshing around in my swimming pool, like waves in the sea.
“Everything was shaking. It was quite strong and quite long. It seemed to go on for about 10 seconds.
“It was scary, really. It makes you feel powerless.”
Some hotels were also evacuated amid fears over the stability of buildings, but people were later allowed to return.
Source : https://www.the-sun.com/news/16846262/earthquake-hits-spain-cars-crushed-buildings-damaged/
