Southern Spain Rocked by 5.5 Earthquake Amid Storm Chaos
It was just after 7:13 AM on a quiet Monday morning when the ground beneath southern Spain suddenly began to tremble. A 5.5 magnitude earthquake—strong enough to rattle nerves and shatter calm—was recorded off the Mediterranean coast near Cabo de Palos, approximately 70 kilometers from AlmerÃa. While the quake originated nearly two miles beneath the sea, its effects were anything but hidden.
People across more than 50 towns felt the jolt, including in popular tourist destinations like Malaga, Granada, and Murcia. In the AxarquÃa region, particularly Vélez-Málaga and Torre del Mar, residents were startled awake by the unexpected shaking. One tourist in Agua Amarga recounted to El PaÃs , “I was sleeping, and the whole house shook for a few seconds… there was an incredible roar. It woke up my entire family and our neighbors.”
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The tremor came on the heels of a weekend of torrential floods and violent thunderstorms—making the timing even more alarming. Streets had already turned into rivers and emergency crews were stretched thin. As if nature hadn’t had its say yet, the earth then decided to move.
Thankfully, despite the magnitude, no fatalities or serious injuries have been reported so far. However, the impact wasn’t without visible damage. Emergency services received at least 25 calls reporting incidents. At AlmerÃa Airport, parts of the ceiling in the departures lounge collapsed, sending dust and debris across the floor. A worker on-site said, “There was a loud bang and a great cloud of dust. It was a real scare for us.” Miraculously, no one was hurt.
Elsewhere, in Huércal de AlmerÃa, a Toyota showroom also suffered damage to its roof. The earthquake’s tremors reached as far as North Africa, further emphasizing its widespread influence. According to Spain’s National Geographic Institute, the quake measured as IV to V on the European Macroseismic Scale—terms equating to “widely observed” to “strong.”
While this quake was technically stronger than the tragic 2011 Lorca quake, which claimed nine lives, the fact that it originated offshore significantly minimized the potential for catastrophic damage on land. Well-built structures typically withstand quakes under magnitude 6.0, which helped avoid a greater disaster.
As of now, the UK Foreign Office has not issued travel advisories, though travelers are urged to check local weather and geological alerts via Spain’s meteorological office (AEMET) and follow any local guidance.
This event is yet another reminder of the unpredictable forces of nature, especially in a country already facing severe weather challenges. In a matter of hours, Spain went from flooding streets to trembling earth. And for many in southern Spain, Monday morning became a moment they won’t soon forget.
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