Spain hit by magnitude 5 quake but no damage reported

A magnitude 5 earthquake shook central and eastern Spain yesterday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.

The quake’s epicenter was close to the town of Ossa de Montiel, 170 km (105 miles) south of Madrid, at a depth of about 15 km, according to Spain’s National Institute of Seismology. It gave a magnitude of 5.2 for the earthquake.

Buildings could be felt shaking as far as Madrid, according to Reuters witnesses. There were no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

Ana Parrilla, who was at work when it happened, said it had been a strange feeling.

“There was a shake .The epicenter was in Albacete though. We felt it at work but it was quite soft. It was not big,” she told Reuters.

“I didn’t feel much of it. It is not normal, it doesn’t happen often. This is the first time I feel something. But I am not frightened,” Alvaro Lladres said.

Miguel Rey, who studies at an art school in downtown Madrid, said he hadn’t even thought about it being an earthquake.

“We were not expecting it. We actually thought it was the drama team that was moving stuff. It was quite weird. I am from Madrid and this is the first time I feel a shake like this,” he joked.

(Reuters)