An earthquake that rattled the Murcia region on Sunday has been confirmed as measuring 4.1 on the Richter scale.
According to local reports, the quake – originally revised down to 3.9 from 4.5 – sent frightened residents and tourists rushing into the streets over fears of further tremors.
One mayor claimed some people actually fled his village over fears that aftershocks would cause structural damage.
The quake, which struck shortly before midday, was felt across much of the region, although the strongest shaking was reported in Barqueros, Pliego, Ricote and Mula.
Tremors were also widely noticed in Murcia city, Totana, Molina de Segura and Alcantarilla.
In Murcia city, residents in San Andres said their homes shook, while ONCE lottery vendors on Gran Via abandoned their kiosks as the ground moved beneath them, reports La Opinion de Murcia.
Although many pedestrians did not immediately realise what had happened, those inside buildings described several seconds of noticeable shaking.
According to the National Geographic Institute (IGN), the epicentre was located between the towns of Pliego and Barqueros.
Barqueros mayor Diego Martinez said the tremor lasted ‘five or six seconds’ and ‘startled the whole village’.
‘There has been no damage, but it frightened everyone,’ he said, adding that some residents described the sound as ‘a huge thunderclap breaking the sound barrier’.
People dining in bars and restaurants rushed outside after tables and chairs began shaking.
Martinez revealed that some residents had even decided to leave the village after hearing warnings that aftershocks could follow.
Furniture also shook in nearby Ricote and Albudeite, startling visitors staying in rural holiday accommodation.
Residents in Pliego likewise reported feeling the earthquake for several seconds, with many leaving restaurants and cafes as the tremor passed.
Despite the widespread alarm, emergency services said no injuries or structural damage had been reported. The earthquake was one of the strongest felt in the region in recent years.
