Earthquake strikes Lorca in Murcia, Spain
The 5.2 magnitude earthquake that sent tremors throughout the popular holiday rentals destination Murcia in southern Spain, has been the second fatal earthquake in the country since 1997 where according to the USGS (the US Geological Survey) one person was killed.
Lorca has a population of approx 90,000 people and the earthquake's epicenter was recorded as being about half a mile below ground according to the USGS.
Many buildings in the historic and popular tourist town were badly damaged and the front of the church collapsed a few hours after the quake occurred and nearly hit a television journalist that was reporting live from the scene.
Naturally, ‘the local population is scared and afraid to return to their homes' said Rafael Gonzalez Tovar, from the Murcia Central Government. Many local residents spent the night outside on the streets as they were worried about more buildings collapsing and the government mobilized a military task force of 200 servicemen and woman to help secure the area.
The quake also came as a shock to many local expat residents that live in the area, where tremors were felt further afield at the popular Polaris World Golf Resorts, home to thousands of luxury villas with pools and holiday rentals in Murcia. Witnesses reported light fittings shaking and water sloshing in pools.
In recent months, Murcia has received a lot of media attention due to the proposed Paramount Pictures Theme Park development that is set to boost tourism and the popularity of this mainly agricultural region of Spain.
Article by Connect Rentals, the villas and holiday rentals specialists for Murcia, 12th May 2011
Information sourced from Sky News
http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/World-News/Spain-Up-To-10-Die-In-52-Magnitude-Earthquake-In-Lorca-Murcia-Southern-Spain/Article/201105215990278?lpos=World_News_Top_Stories_Header_3&lid=ARTICLE_15990278_Spain%3A_Up_To_10_Die_In_5.2_Magnitude_Earthquake_In_Lorca%2C_Murcia%2C_Southern_Spain
Date posted: 12 May 2011
