A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.4 shakes Colombia and leaves at least one dead, several injured and three missing in Quibdó

A powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 4.8 struck Granada early Saturday morning, causing widespread structural damage but no casualties. The tremor was felt far beyond the province, affecting parts of Andalusia, Murcia, Castile-La Mancha, Madrid, and Extremadura. According to the Instituto Geográfico Nacional (IGN), the main shock occurred at 1:04 AM on August 15, with its epicenter located northeast of Alhendín, within the metropolitan area of Granada. Initial reports had suggested a higher magnitude of 5, but the IGN later confirmed the quake's actual strength as 4.8 Mw, with maximum intensity rated V-VI on the Mercalli scale. The earthquake woke thousands of residents and was widely perceived throughout the region. Emergency services received hundreds of calls reporting cracks, falling cornices, debris, and damaged walls. In response, the Junta de Andalucía activated level one of its emergency plan for seismic risk, deploying resources to coordinate efforts. This initial phase of emergency operations was later reduced to a pre-emergency status as assessments continued and the situation showed signs of stabilizing. In the days following the quake, authorities focused on evaluating the extent of the damage. The City Council of Granada has processed over 800 requests for building inspections, involving firefighters, local police, civil protection teams, architects, and other professionals. During the first hours after the earthquake, around 400 requests were handled, resulting in approximately 122 interventions. From late afternoon on Saturday until early Sunday, another 150 requests were addressed, leading to 32 actions. Most buildings inspected so far have shown resilience, though many issues are confined to non-structural elements such as cracks, facade materials, false ceilings, partitions, and similar features. Emergency crews continue to remove unstable elements that could pose risks, prioritizing cases where there are indications of structural damage. The local police have maintained a dedicated team monitoring incidents. Mayor Marifrán Carazo of Granada urged caution despite the gradual return to normalcy. She emphasized the need to remain vigilant even as the city begins to recover. Throughout the weekend, numerous aftershocks were recorded, primarily concentrated in Granada and surrounding municipalities. On Sunday alone, the IGN documented more than thirty additional earthquakes in the Vega Granadina area, most ranging between magnitudes 1.5 and 2.5. One notable aftershock reached magnitude 3.1 and occurred at 4:40 AM near the northwest of Armilla. These smaller quakes underscored the ongoing seismic activity in the region, prompting continued monitoring and public advisories. Residents in areas such as Huércar, Almuñecar, Salobreña, and Motril on the coast, as well as communities in the western part of the province and the Alpujarra, also reported feeling the tremors. The effects were noted in towns like Alcalá la Real, Linares, and Jérez in Jaén, and along the coasts of Almería, Málaga, and Córdoba. Even cities as distant as Puertollano, Ciudad Real, Albacete, and Madrid experienced the shaking, albeit with less intensity. Following the main quake, a secondary tremor of magnitude 2.6 occurred six minutes later, centered just one kilometer below the surface in Gájar. Over the preceding Friday, three smaller quakes were also detected in the same area, further highlighting the seismic activity in the region. As the situation continues to evolve, officials stress the importance of maintaining awareness and preparedness among the population.