Mainland Portugal, particularly the southern region, woke up this Monday (August 26) to a seismic shock measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale. The phenomenon was felt strongly in the Lisbon Metropolitan Area, but also in other cities from the north to the south of the country.
According to information from the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the quake was recorded at around 5:11 a.m., and its epicenter was located around 60 km west of Sines.
Despite the scare, no casualties or material damage were reported. In addition, according to some media, the earthquake was also felt in Morocco, Spain and Gibraltar.
Three replicas detected
Cited by the newspaper “Público”, André Fernandes, national commander of Civil Protection, said that so far three more aftershocks have been felt:
1.2 on the Richter scale, the second 1.1 and the third 0.9.”
For the time being, the authorities will continue to monitor the situation closely.
The biggest earthquake in Portugal since 1969
This Monday’s earthquake (August 26) was the strongest felt in Portugal since 1969. However, back then the scenario was quite different.
According to an article in the magazine “Sábado”, the earthquake that struck in the early hours of February 28, 1969 caused the deaths of 13 people, as well as telecommunication and electricity cuts.
At the time, the earthquake registered a magnitude of 7.3 on the Richter scale, with the epicenter located 180 km southwest of Sagres. This time, fortunately, the size of the earthquake was not similar.
O terramoto de 1755 em Lisboa: uma breve história em 5 minutos