Current Events > Earthquake felt in Algarve - schools evacuated

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The earthquake recorded today with its epicentre in Seixal, district of Setbal, was felt with maximum intensity in Sintra (Lisbon) and Almada (Setbal) and with less intensity in some municipalities in the Central region and the Algarve, revealed the IPMA.

https://www.theportugalnews.com/news/2025-02-17/earthquake-felt-in-algarve-schools-evacuated/95637

According to the Portuguese Institute of the Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA), the earthquake measuring 4.7 on the Richter scale recorded today at 1:24 pm, with its epicentre approximately 14 kilometres southwest of Seixal, so far, has not caused any personal or material damage and was felt with maximum intensity V (modified Mercalli scale) in the municipalities of Sintra (Lisbon) and Almada (Setbal).

It was still felt with less intensity in the municipalities of Odemira (Beja), Coimbra (Coimbra), Albufeira, Portimo (Faro), Alcobaa, Leiria (Leiria), Cascais, Lisbon, Loures, Mafra, Oeiras, Vila Franca de Xira, Amadora, Odivelas (Lisbon), Abrantes (Santarm), Barreiro, Moita, Palmela, Seixal, Sesimbra, Setbal and Sines (Setbal), informed the IPMA in a statement.

Although this earthquake was felt in some municipalities from the Central region to the Algarve, so far, the maximum intensity observed was V (modified Mercalli scale), explained the IPMA, remembering that, if the situation justifies it, new statements will be issued.

Evacuations

The Seixal Municipal Council (CMS) reported today that, due to the earthquake in the municipality, some schools and local health centres were evacuated on the initiative of their respective security delegates, with no record of personal or material damage.

In a note on the social network Facebook, the city hall highlighted that the majority of the population "adopted self-protection procedures" due to the earthquake felt with an intensity of 4.7 on the Richter scale, which occurred at a depth of seven kilometers southwest of the municipality of Seixal, more specifically in the sea, about four kilometers from the Atlantic coast.

The CMS also reported that there are eight meeting points in the municipality, identified in the Municipal Emergency and Civil Defense Plan as places for the population to gather and meet again, in case they need to move to an open area with reduced risk.

These meeting points are located in the Quinta da Marialva Urban Park (for those in Corroios), in the Galeguinhas Park and/or in the Fanqueiro Park (both in Amora), in the Seixal Urban Park (Seixal), in the Largo da Junta de Freguesia da Aldeia de Paio Pires, in the Torre da Marinha Urban Park, in the Jardim da Rua da Paz, in Pinhal de Frades, and in the Coreto children's playground (Ferno Ferro).

That's in southern Portugal, for anyone wondering

I didn't feel a thing in Coimbra.