Wednesday, July 16, 2025

A powerful 5.4 magnitude earthquake struck off the southern coast of Spain, causing structural damage including a roof collapse at Almería Airport, prompting urgent travel warnings for Irish tourists. Authorities say the tremor, though offshore, was strong enough to impact hundreds of towns across Andalusia and the Levante region, highlighting the vulnerability of infrastructure and the importance of traveler safety amid rising seismic risks.

A powerful 5.4 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of southern Spain early this morning has sparked widespread concern, triggered structural damage, and prompted emergency travel advisories for tourists, including Irish visitors. The tremor, which originated in the Mediterranean Sea, was more intense than the catastrophic 2011 earthquake that devastated the town of Lorca in the Murcia region. While the recent quake caused less overall destruction due to its offshore epicenter, its power was widely felt across the Iberian Peninsula.

The seismic shockwaves reached deep into Andalusia and Spain’s Levante region, jolting hundreds of towns and villages and leaving residents and holidaymakers in a state of alarm. Reports confirm that the earthquake was felt in as many as 300 different locations across seven Spanish provinces, with the most severe shaking concentrated in 17 municipalities in Almería. Some tremors were even detected as far away as parts of North Africa.

One of the most alarming incidents occurred at Almería Airport, where ceiling panels from a suspended structure collapsed in a café located within the departures lounge. The structural failure, which happened roughly an hour after the initial tremor struck at 7:14 a.m., sent dust and debris falling into a public area. While no injuries were reported, airport officials swiftly cordoned off the affected section to ensure traveler safety. Authorities have not yet confirmed how many passengers were present in the café when the incident unfolded.

Elsewhere in the province, the quake also caused damage to commercial infrastructure.A car dealership in Huércal de Almería, located about ten minutes from the provincial capital, sustained roof damage as a result of the earthquake. In residential areas, local footage captured by a shaken resident showed interior fixtures such as ceiling lamps swaying back and forth, a stark reminder of the tremor’s reach.

Despite the strength of the quake, experts say that the impact on land was significantly reduced because the epicenter was located approximately 1.5 miles beneath the sea floor and about 20 miles off the coast near the town of Níjar. The deeper and offshore origin helped minimize the devastation typically seen when earthquakes strike closer to the surface or in densely populated areas.

Nevertheless, earthquake specialists emphasized that had the quake occurred nearer to an urban center or at a shallower depth, the damage could have been far more severe. Comparisons have already been made to the 2011 Lorca disaster, which resulted in nine fatalities and significant structural damage, despite being of lesser magnitude.

In the wake of the tremor, Spanish authorities quickly activated emergency protocols. Healthcare facilities took precautionary measures, with at least 71 patients transferred from vulnerable hospital buildings to safer locations. This relocation effort was undertaken to ensure uninterrupted medical care and minimize the risk to patients should aftershocks occur.

Spain’s civil protection agency has since issued a public safety alert urging residents and tourists to exercise extreme caution in affected areas. People are being advised to avoid entering damaged buildings, unstable cliffs, or any structures that have not yet been thoroughly inspected for safety. Emergency officials stressed that such areas could pose significant risks until they are properly assessed by structural engineers.

To keep the public informed, a mobile emergency alert was sent to mobile phones in Almería and Granada, warning residents of the quake and providing crucial safety guidelines. The alert advised people to wear shoes indoors to avoid injuries from falling debris, be vigilant for gas leaks, and stay prepared for potential aftershocks. Authorities have not ruled out the possibility of secondary tremors in the coming days.

Adding to the urgency, the Embassy of Ireland in Madrid has echoed Spain’s emergency warnings and is closely monitoring the situation. Irish citizens currently in the country or planning to travel to southern Spain are advised to follow all local guidance and safety advisories. The Spanish meteorological agency has also issued a red weather warning for several regions, indicating a combination of seismic and weather-related hazards that may further disrupt travel plans.

As assessment teams continue to inspect infrastructure and public spaces for damage, transport disruptions remain a concern. While no major flight delays have been reported yet, the situation at Almería Airport is being closely monitored, and travelers are urged to check with airlines and local authorities before proceeding with their journeys.

With aftershocks still possible and emergency response efforts ongoing, the full impact of the earthquake is yet to be determined. For now, caution remains the top priority for both residents and international visitors navigating the aftermath of one of Spain’s most powerful recent seismic events.