Lisbon Earthquake: No Injuries as 5.3 Magnitude Quake Strikes Portugal

A 5.3 magnitude earthquake struck Portugal on Monday morning, August 26, at 5:11 am. The earthquake’s epicenter was located 58 kilometers west of Sines, at a depth of 21 kilometers, according to Portugal’s sea and atmosphere institute (IPMA).

The quake was felt most strongly in Lisbon, Setúbal, and Sines, with reports of tremors reaching as far as the Algarve, Porto, Spain, and even Morocco.

Fortunately, no injuries or material damage have been reported. The national civil protection authority confirmed that there is no risk of a tsunami, as such threats are typically only considered for earthquakes of 6.0 magnitude or higher. Commander André Fernandes stated that no special emergency plans were activated due to the quake.

The Portuguese government urged citizens to stay calm and follow guidelines from the civil protection authority. The earthquake was followed by three minor aftershocks, measuring 1.2, 1.1, and 0.9 on the Richter scale.

Portugal’s president, Marcelo Rebelo de Sousa, is closely monitoring the situation along with other authorities. 

A geophysicist and former president of IPMA, Jorge Miguel Miranda, described this earthquake as the “biggest felt in Lisbon since 1969” during an interview. He highlighted that the quake occurred in a sensitive region near the west coast, close to the site of a historic earthquake in 1858, which triggered a small tsunami in the Setúbal area.

This event reminds us of the earthquake risk in the region, but it has caused no significant harm this time.