Magnitude 4.8 Earthquake Hits Granada, Alhambra Palace Temporarily Closes

A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck about 10 kilometres south of Granada on Tuesday morning, injuring three people and causing visible damage to vehicles and buildings in the historic Spanish city. The world-renowned Alhambra palace complex was temporarily closed as a precautionary measure following the tremor.

Shallow Tremors Unsettling the Region

Spain's National Geographic Institute (IGN) identified the quake as the most powerful in a series of shallow tremors that began in the area last Friday and have been widely felt by residents. Shallow earthquakes tend to cause more surface damage than deeper ones of the same magnitude because their energy is released closer to the ground. Residents rushed out of their homes into the streets fearing aftershocks, while emergency services assessed structural damage.

Alhambra Closed, Cars Damaged

The iconic Alhambra palace, one of Spain's most visited tourist attractions, was shut down temporarily to allow safety inspections of its centuries-old structures. Several cars in central Granada were damaged by falling debris from buildings. Authorities said no fatalities had been reported, though the three injured people received treatment for their injuries. The IGN continued to monitor for additional aftershocks.