earthquake hits Granada: damage to buildings, Alhambra Palace safe
Granada earthquake causes damage to buildings and cars.. Alhambra Palace safe
An earthquake of magnitude 5.0 struck the Granada region in southern Spain early Saturday, causing material damage to buildings and cars, with no injuries or major structural damage reported, while the historic Alhambra Palace remained unaffected by the earthquake’s impact.
The earthquake struck after 1:00 AM local time, with its epicenter in the Alhendin area, located within Granada’s urban perimeter, and was felt by residents across wide areas of the Andalusia region.
Authorities reported scattered damage including cracks and falling parts of facades, buildings, and structural elements, while images broadcast by Spanish media showed debris scattered and damage to a number of cars.
Alhambra Palace unaffected
Reuters quoted regional authorities as saying that emergency teams intervened in several damaged buildings, while Antonio Sanz, the emergency official for the Andalusian government, confirmed that no major structural or material damage or casualties were recorded, noting that the Alhambra Palace was not damaged.
Andalusian authorities announced the activation of the seismic risk emergency plan, with fire, police, and specialized teams continuing to assess damage and secure affected sites. The Andalusian emergency agency reported receiving more than 200 earthquake-related reports from different areas of the region.
Footage from inside homes and shops capturing the moment Granada shook after a nighttime 5.0 magnitude earthquake, civil defense receiving hundreds of calls pic.twitter.com/hnNubkJLqE
— Al Arabiya (@AlArabiya) August 15, 2026
Warning of aftershocks
Authorities also urged residents to exercise caution and stay away from facades, balconies, walls, and elements that may be prone to falling, while continuing to monitor seismic activity and the possibility of aftershocks.
Granada is one of Spain’s top tourist destinations, and the Alhambra Palace is one of its most important historical landmarks and a model of Islamic architecture in Andalusia, making its safety a particular focus of concern following the earthquake. Authorities confirmed it sustained no damage.
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