A 4.4-magnitude earthquake has struck off the Costa del Sol.
The quake was detected off the Alboran Sea shortly after midnight on Wednesday, shaking large parts of Malaga province.
The tremor was recorded at 12.24am local time and, while widely felt across the region, there have been no reports of injuries or serious damage.
Andalucia’s emergency service (112) said it handled around 30 calls from residents who felt the earthquake during the night.
According to Spain’s National Geographic Institute (IGN), the quake occurred in the western Alboran Sea at a depth of 87km, which helped reduce its surface impact despite being clearly noticeable.
The earthquake registered an intensity of between III and IV, meaning it was felt indoors by many people but caused minimal disruption.
Felt across the Costa del Sol
The tremor was reported in numerous towns and cities across Malaga province, including Benalmadena, Torremolinos, Fuengirola, Marbella, Estepona and Nerja.
It was also felt inland in areas such as Coin, Alhaurin el Grande and Cartama, as well as in Malaga city itself – particularly in neighbourhoods like Guadalmar and La Araña.
Other affected areas included Rincón de la Victoria, Torre del Mar, Manilva, San Pedro Alcantara and Mijas, among many others.
Despite the widespread reports, authorities have confirmed that the earthquake did not cause any significant damage, though it did briefly alarm residents across the region.
Earthquakes are not uncommon in southern Spain due to its proximity to the boundary between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, particularly in the Alboran Sea area.
