Major quake rocks the Med sending people in pyjamas scurrying into the streets

A strong 6.6-magnitude earthquake has struck the Mediterranean between Morocco and Spain. The 20-mile deep quake hit at 4:22am, 39 miles north of the Moroccan city of Al Hoceima and 102 miles east-southeast of Gibraltar, the US Geological Survey said. It was followed by six aftershocks including a 5.3-magnitude tremor. There were no immediate reports of any casualties. Emergency services received 250 calls from alarmed residents in the Andalucia region, in southern Spain.

Wow! It’s like being on a boat!

YouTube user Elvark

Tremors and aftershocks were felt throughout the area including in the cities of Malaga, Cordoba, Seville and Granada. Up to 200 residents in Melilla, a Spanish enclave on the Moroccan coast, suffered damage to their properties. TV footage showed people running into the streets in their pyjamas in Melilla after the quake struck. Officials said schools would be closed on Monday so buildings could be checked for structural damage. In its initial assessment of the quake’s impact, USGS said there was “a low likelihood of casualties and damage”.

Morocco earthquake