A magnitude 4.8 earthquake struck the province of Granada in southern Spain at 1:04 a.m. on Saturday, August 16, 2026, causing widespread material damage and forcing terrified residents into the streets, though no injuries were reported. Spain's National Geographic Institute (IGN) located the epicentre of the shallow tremor at a depth of just two kilometres in the town of Alhendín. The quake was felt across the province of Granada and extended beyond the borders of the autonomous region of Andalusia.
The tremor was close in intensity to the largest earthquake recorded in Granada since 1956, exceeding the impact of the 2021 seismic swarm centred in nearby Santa Fe. The IGN initially reported the quake at 4.8 magnitude before temporarily raising the measurement to 5.0 and subsequently revising it back to 4.8.
In response to the tremor and subsequent seismic activity, Antonio Sanz, the Andalusian Regional Minister of the Presidency, Health and Emergencies, activated the region's Seismic Risk Emergency Plan. The decision came as emergency services prepared for potential further tremors across the province.
Residents across Granada described moments of panic as the nocturnal shaking began. José, a resident of Alhendín at the epicentre, said he first heard a strange creaking noise before an eight-second tremor caused his home to shake intensely, leading him to fear the building would collapse. After running outside with his partner Francisca, they observed cracks appearing on the wall of the building opposite and spent the rest of the night on the street alongside neighbors.
Midnight Shaking and Street Evacuations
Other residents recounted similar experiences during the initial tremor. Juanma described everything in his home moving like custard, while Ángela explained that items fell from shelves and framed pictures dropped as wall cracks began to open. In Granada capital, Lucía Ruiz said she woke from her sleep convinced her ceiling was collapsing and prepared to run into the street before the shaking subsided, later checking her phone to see initial reports placing the epicentre in Ogíjares before being updated to Alhendín.
In the nearby town of Armilla, resident Ana reported driving with friends to an open field to sleep inside her vehicle. She communicated via WhatsApp with other friends who had sought refuge in public streets and parks, where many stayed until an early morning electrical storm brought thunder and lightning, prompting people to return to their homes.
Property damage was reported across multiple residential areas. Víctor, a resident in the provincial capital of Granada, reported misaligned window frames and wall cracks in his home, describing the quake as far worse than the 2021 seismic events. In the Zaidín neighborhood of Granada capital, resident Miguel Gómez reported cracks across his ceilings and walls, stating that the entire apartment block suffered similar damage and that residents were convening with the community president to coordinate repairs.
Seismic Swarm and Aftershocks
The main 4.8 magnitude quake was preceded by three distinct seismic events earlier in the evening. A 3.7 magnitude earthquake struck at 6:45 p.m. at a depth of five kilometres with its epicentre in La Zubia, followed by a 2.2 magnitude aftershock in Otura after 8:00 p.m., and a 2.3 magnitude shallow quake centred in Ogíjares approximately one hour before the midnight tremor.
Seismic activity continued relentlessly after the main quake. The IGN recorded 41 tremors in the area by 7:00 a.m. on Saturday, with the total reaching 98 registered aftershocks during the day, 13 of which were strongly felt by the local population. Significant morning tremors included a shallow 3.3 magnitude quake centred in Gójar at 6:34 a.m. and a shallow 3.0 magnitude aftershock at 8:57 a.m.
Following an urgent meeting of the provincial seismic committee, Eduardo Martos, the head of emergencies for the Granada Provincial Council (Diputación de Granada), called for calm. Martos stated that aftershocks measuring between 3.0 and 3.5 magnitude are expected to continue, drawing comparisons to the 2021 seismic swarm, but reassured the public that no structural damage had been identified.
Inspections and Official Responses
Martos confirmed that damage had been limited to building cornices, broken window glass, and non-structural wall cracks. Preventive evacuations were carried out in select locations, including a residential building in Las Gabias, though residents were permitted to return after inspectors determined the building did not require sealing off. Technical teams continue conducting structural inspections across the most affected municipalities, including Alhendín, Armilla, Las Gabias, La Zubia, Churriana de la Vega, and the Zaidín district of Granada, to ensure ongoing aftershocks do not exacerbate minor damage into structural failures.
As safety evaluations continued throughout Saturday, authorities ordered the temporary closure of five churches in Granada to public worship after inspections revealed damage linked to the earthquakes.
The seismic events drew attention from national leadership. Juanma Moreno, the President of the Regional Government of Andalusia (Junta de Andalucía), confirmed he received a telephone call from King Felipe VI of Spain. The monarch inquired about the impact of the earthquake in Granada as well as the ongoing firefighting efforts at the Niebla forest fire in the province of Huelva.
