New Delhi, July 15 -- A powerful 5.2 magnitude earthquake struck southern Spain on Monday at 7:13 a.m. local time, rattling popular tourist areas including Costa del Sol and Alicante.

The quake's epicenter was located just 51 km from Almeria in the Mediterranean Sea at a very shallow depth of 10 km, intensifying its impact. Terrified tourists described being awakened by "an incredible roar" as buildings shook violently.

The quake affected 50 towns across seven provinces, with Granada, Malaga, Murcia, and Albacete among the areas hardest hit. Six aftershocks followed within hours, the strongest measuring magnitude 3.4.

Emergency services received 25 calls as frightened residents reported shaking across southern Spain and North Africa. ...