A 5.3 magnitiude earthquake struck Lisbon, Portugal’s capital and one of Europe’s most popular city breaks, at 5.11am on Monday August 26. The tremor was felt in Lisbon, Setúbal and Sines, but emergency services also received reports of it from Porto and areas in Spain. There were three aftershocks (with magnitudes of 1.2, 1.1 and 0.9), but thankfully no injury or damage has been reported.
News of an earthquake can be worrying if you have a trip booked. So, here is everything you need to know about the tremors and whether it’s safe to travel to Portugal right now.
Where was the earthquake in Portugal?
The earthquake’s epicentre was off the coast of Portugal, on the high seas around 58km southwest of Sines and at around 21km deep. The quake hit waters 7.7km southeast of Lisbon, but was felt as far as Porto, parts of Spain and even Morocco.
Is it safe to travel to Lisbon and the surrounding areas?
There have been no reports of injuries or building damage, and the UK Foreign Office has not advised against travelling to Lisbon or Portugal.
The general safety and security advice page reads: ‘Earthquakes are a risk in Portugal. For more information, see the Portuguese Met Office (for mainland Portugal) or the Earthquake Information and Surveillance Centre (for the Azores). The US Federal Emergency Management Agency website has advice about what to do before, during and after an earthquake.’
Have flights been cancelled?
There are no reports of flights being cancelled because of the earthquake, but if you have a trip booked, it’s best to check with your flight provider directly.
What are your rights if you’ve booked a trip?
As the UK Foreign Office has not officially advised against travelling to Portugal, it’s unlikely you’ll be able to cancel your trip without any penalties. If you’re keen to reschedule, it would be best to check directly with your travel provider.
What has the reaction been to the earthquake?
Time Out Lisbon compiled a roundup of reactions on social media, which you can check out here, but below are some of our favourites.
Me, while the earth was shaking at 5 a.m. ... #sismo #terramoto #portugal #earthquake pic.twitter.com/lOYGaKzow4
— Darth Voyeur Master (@darth_voyeur_m) August 26, 2024
The bad news is that I need to work while visiting #Lisbon with my family. The good news is the #Lisbon is a great place to work (even after an earthquake)👇 pic.twitter.com/6nHPQOKcMm
— Mariano Max Croce (@MCroce_MacroFin) August 26, 2024
Wow! This group of ducks just witnessed the earthquake in Portugal! Amazing! https://t.co/PZFxIiyIHF pic.twitter.com/4ReKFshuFU
— Pagliacci (@PagliacciHal900) August 26, 2024
Is Portugal at high risk for earthquakes?
As Portugal’s southern region and the Azores are located near to the boundary between the African and Eurasian tectonic plates, the country experiences several minor earthquakes (those that register as 3 or lower on the Richter scale) per year. Typically these earthquakes aren’t felt by people and don’t do any damage.
Earthquakes with magnitudes between 3 and 5 are less common, but do still occur fairly regularly. These earthquakes can cause minor damage. This week’s earthquake was the strongest to hit Portugal since 2009, when the south coast was shaken by a 5.6 magnitude tremor.
When was the last big earthquake in Portugal?
The Great Lisbon Earthquake, estimated to have had a magnitude between 8.5 and 9, struck the region back in 1755 and killed an estimated 50,000 people including 10,000 in Morocco. The quake generated a tsunami which saw waves of 6 metres reach Lisbon and 20 metres at Cádiz in Spain. It’s thought to be the most destructive earthquake to have ever taken place in Europe.
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