In the early hours of Monday morning, a powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Portugal, registering a magnitude of 5.3 on the Richter scale. The quake’s epicenter was located 58 kilometers west of Sines, at a depth of 21 kilometers, causing tremors to be felt across Lisbon, Setúbal, and even as far as Porto, Spain, and Morocco. The earthquake, which occurred at 5:11 am local time, led to a flurry of emergency calls from concerned residents, though no major damage or casualties have been reported.

Immediate Impact and Response

Following the quake, the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA) initially reported a magnitude of 5.4 but later revised it to 5.3. The National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANEPC) has been actively monitoring the situation, with Commander José Miranda confirming that while the tremors caused alarm, there were no immediate reports of significant damage. The government has urged residents to remain calm and follow official guidelines.

A Close Call for Portugal

While the earthquake did not result in significant damage, it serves as a stark reminder of the seismic activity that can affect the region. The response from emergency services highlights the importance of preparedness in mitigating the effects of such natural disasters.

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