The earthquakes recorded in Granada have surprised thousands of people inside their homes, on the street, or behind the wheel. The movement this Tuesday, with a magnitude of 4.8, adds to the one recorded during the early hours of Saturday and to a succession of tremors that keep the population on alert.
According to the latest report from the National Geographic Institute, updated this Tuesday at 2:30 PM, since August 14, 432 seismic movements have been recorded in the vicinity of Alhendín, Gójar, and La Zubia, of which 45 have been felt by the population.
In light of this situation, the first vice president of the Junta de Andalucía and counselor of Presidency, Health, and Emergencies, Antonio Sanz, has disseminated a message on the social network X about self-protection guidelines. The recommendations coincide with those published by Emergencies 112 Andalucía and the National Geographic Institute.
What to do during an earthquake if you are inside a building
The first recommendation is to remain calm and avoid unnecessary movements while the shaking lasts. The National Geographic Institute summarizes the actions in three steps: duck, cover, and hold on.
If there is a sturdy table nearby, it is advisable to get under it, protect your head and neck, and hold onto one of its legs until the shaking stops. When that is not possible, it is recommended to take shelter next to an interior wall or a firm structural element, away from objects that may fall.
Windows, mirrors, lamps, shelves, and tall furniture can cause injuries if they break or tip over. It is also important to avoid staying near balconies, glass doors, and suspended elements.
In crowded spaces, such as shopping centers, performance halls, or stations, the priority is to protect your head and avoid rushing towards the exits. Crowds can cause additional accidents.
If a person uses a wheelchair, they should position themselves in a safe place, engage the brakes, and cover their head with their arms.
Should you run outside?
No. Both the Junta de Andalucía and the National Geographic Institute insist that running outside while the building is still moving can increase the risk of injury.
Facades, cornices, glass, and other exterior elements can detach precisely during those seconds. Stairs can also become a dangerous point if a disorganized evacuation occurs.
The general rule is simple: if you are inside, stay inside during the shaking; if you are outside, stay outside.
Once the tremor has finished, the situation should be assessed. If the movement has been intense, there are visible damages, or the authorities order evacuation, one must exit in an orderly manner and always use the stairs.
The elevator should not be used, as it may become blocked due to a power outage or be affected by damage to the building.
What to do if the earthquake catches you on the street
Outside, the priority is to move away from facades, balconies, cornices, walls, shop windows, and electrical wires. It is also advisable to avoid positioning oneself next to trees, lampposts, or any element that may detach or fall.
The recommendation is to head, without running, towards a clear and open area, such as a square or a space away from buildings.
One should not enter a building for shelter while the earthquake lasts. It is also not advisable to approach damaged buildings to observe what happened or record images, as new detachments may occur.
What to do after the earthquake
When the tremor ends, the first step is to check for injured people and visually assess the state of the place where we are.
If there is an emergency, such as injuries, fires, significant detachments, trapped people, or damages that may compromise the safety of a building, one must call 112 and explain precisely what happened.
Severely injured people should not move unless there is an immediate danger, such as a fire or a collapse, or if the intervention is carried out by trained personnel.
It is also advisable to check for damages in water, electricity, or gas lines. If a gas smell is detected, one should avoid turning on lights, manipulating switches, using lighters, or lighting candles.
Lighting should be done with a flashlight. If possible to do so without exposing oneself, supply valves can be closed and the building evacuated in an orderly manner.
The National Geographic Institute also reminds that one should not enter damaged buildings until the authorities or competent technicians determine that they are safe.
What you should not do during an earthquake
The authorities highlight several behaviors that can increase danger during and after an earthquake:
- Do not run out of a building while the shaking continues.
- Do not use elevators to evacuate.
- Do not approach windows, facades, cornices, or electrical wires.
- Do not light candles, matches, or lighters if there may be a gas leak.
- Do not enter damaged buildings or cross cordoned-off areas.
- Do not move seriously injured people, unless there is immediate danger.
- Do not call 112 just to ask if an earthquake has occurred: reserve the phone for real emergencies.
- Do not spread rumors or unverified predictions about new movements.
To contact family members, it may be preferable to use messaging services and avoid unnecessary calls that contribute to saturating communications.
How to prepare the home for new movements
Prevention also reduces the risk of injury if new shaking occurs. Emergencias 112 Andalucía advises having a first aid kit, a flashlight, batteries, and a radio, as well as knowing where the water, gas, and electricity keys are located.
It is also advisable to secure shelves, cabinets, mirrors, and lamps, place heavy objects on lower shelves, and identify the safest places in the home in advance.
Families can agree on a meeting point and explain to minors how to protect themselves under a table if an earthquake occurs. In schools or other educational centers, students must follow the instructions of the teaching staff and the building's self-protection plans.
...