A magnitude 5 earthquake hit the metropolitan area of Alhendín, about 10 kilometers south of Granada, Spain, shortly after 1 a.m. local time on August 15, 2026 [1, 2, 3].
The quake caused debris and damage to several buildings and vehicles but no injuries or deaths have been reported [1, 4, 2]. Emergency services in Andalusia responded quickly, rescuing multiple people from damaged structures and receiving over 200 assistance calls from Granada and nearby cities including Sevilla and Córdoba [1, 2, 3].
Authorities declared a state of emergency in the Andalusian region following the earthquake [1, 2]. Antonio Sanz Cabello, Vice-president of the Andalusian Regional Government, urged residents to stay calm and avoid unnecessary building entry or exit. He advised people to keep away from potentially dangerous facades, balconies, and cornices that could fall [1].
Granada Mayor Calaso said local departments were assessing minor damage, particularly to buildings with weaker resistance to seismic activity. "Currently, no reports of casualties or major widespread structural damage" he stated [5]. Fernández, a resident of nearby Víctor Vélez, described strong shaking that woke residents and damaged doors and household items [5].
The historic Alhambra palace, a UNESCO World Heritage site and a major tourist attraction in Granada, was inspected and found to be undamaged by the quake [6]. Andalusia’s top emergency official Antonio Sanz confirmed there was "no serious structural damage" and no casualties [6].
While earthquakes of magnitude 5 are rare in this populated southern region, smaller tremors occur occasionally [5]. The initial quake struck early Saturday morning, allowing authorities to begin rescue and assessment operations quickly[ s1,s7].
Officials continue to monitor conditions and advise residents to exercise caution near buildings and follow emergency guidance as assessments proceed [1].
