\n<\/p>\n
MADRID: Spain\u2019s cherished tourist hotspot of Granada was in shock on Saturday after a rare 5.0-magnitude earthquake woke residents in the middle of the night and damaged buildings.<\/strong><\/p>\n But officials confirmed no casualties or serious damage, notably to the southern city\u2019s Alhambra palace, a UNESCO-listed jewel of medieval Islamic architecture and the seat of Spain\u2019s last Muslim kingdom.<\/p>\n The tremor took place shortly after 1:00 am (2300 GMT Friday) with its epicentre in the town of Alhendin, 10 kilometres (six miles) south of Granada, according to the National Geographical Institute.<\/p>\n \u201cCracks have appeared, elements such as ledges, rubble and walls have fallen, and damage has been reported in some buildings,\u201d Andalusian emergency services said in a statement.<\/p>\n The fire service received 300 calls and performed 85 interventions, especially in southern Granada and the city\u2019s metropolitan area, said Antonio Sanz, the Andalusia region\u2019s top emergencies official.<\/p>\n \u201cThere is no serious structural damage, no serious material damage and there are no casualties,\u201d said Sanz, who specified that \u201cthe Alhambra had not been affected in any way\u201d.<\/p>\n But \u201cwe must stay on our guard\u201d as buildings were being inspected and aftershocks were possible, Sanz added, noting that the last earthquake of this magnitude in Andalusia hit in 1955.<\/p>\n Images shared by Spanish media showed rubble strewn on the streets of Granada and cars with their windows smashed.<\/p>\n \u201cWe really felt the shaking, it was so strong that it woke us up,\u201d Marta Mayorga Fernandez told public broadcaster RTVE from the town of Huetor Vega, just outside Granada.<\/p>\n \u201cWe were here at home panicking a little, in our bodies, my arms were still shaking,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n Sanz said a telephone line had been set up to \u201callow us to immediately deal with these anxiety crises, this nervousness among the public\u201d.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n