A strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck early Monday in the Mediterranean between Morocco and Spain, the US Geological Survey said.
6.1-magnitude earthquake hits Morocco and Spain
6.1 magnitude earthquake strikes off coasts of Spain, Morocco https://t.co/ZvQGnXfz4e pic.twitter.com/PYmIYUStAr— RT (@RT_com) January 25, 2016
The quake hit at 4.22 a.m. 62 kilometres north of the Moroccan city of Al Hoceima and 164 kilometres east-southeast of Gibraltar, USGS said.
It was followed by a 5.3-magnitude tremor.
In its initial assessment of the quake’s impact, the USGS said there was “a low likelihood of casualties and damage”.
#eustorm 11071,SP 4/30 – A strong 6.3-magnitude earthquake has struck the Mediterranean between Morocco and Spain! pic.twitter.com/6QTaxHsAS3— #EUStorm (@EUStormMap) January 25, 2016
Tremors were felt in the south of Spain and in the Spanish enclave of Melilla bordering Morocco, but the authorities reported no victims.
Authorities in Melilla have decided to keep schools closed as a precautionary measure to review the state of the buildings.
People stayed out of their houses after the #earthquake, afraid to go back into their houses. #Morocco— Sjoukje (@Sjouk1981) January 25, 2016
In February 2004, a strong 6.3 earthquake hit near Al Hoceima killIing nearly 630 people.