Community & Local Life

Earthquake near Tabernas felt across Almeria during the night

Map showing the earthquake near Tabernas and the areas where the tremor was felt across Almeria province

Published 16 February, 2026 | Category: Community

TL;DR: A shallow earthquake with a magnitude of 4.3 mbLg occurred near Tabernas shortly after midnight. Because of its limited depth, the tremor was clearly felt across large parts of the province, but no damage or injuries have been reported.

Shallow earthquake near Tabernas felt across the province during the night

Shortly after midnight, a noticeable earthquake was felt across several parts of Almeria province. The tremor occurred at around 00:55 and was centred near Tabernas, in the interior of the province.

Residents described a brief but firm movement, often perceived as a sudden jolt rather than a prolonged shaking. In some locations, windows rattled and light objects shifted, and a number of people were woken by the tremor.

Areas where the tremor was felt

Although the epicentre was inland, the earthquake was felt across a wide area. Reports came from coastal municipalities such as Roquetas de Mar and El Ejido, as well as inland areas including Nijar and surrounding towns.

The shaking was brief and no injuries or structural damage have been reported.

How close the epicentre was

The centre of the earthquake was located approximately six kilometres from Tabernas. This relatively short distance, combined with the shallow depth of the event, helps explain why the tremor was felt so clearly in nearby municipalities.

Residents in Huercal de Almeria, closer to the epicentre, as well as in more distant areas such as Vera, reported being woken by the movement. In both cases, the shaking was described as brief but firm rather than prolonged.

Magnitude and depth

The earthquake had a magnitude of 4.3 mbLg, a regional magnitude scale commonly used in southern Europe and broadly comparable to what is often referred to as the Richter scale.

The event was classified as shallow, with a depth of only a few kilometres. Depth is a key factor in how earthquakes are experienced: shallow earthquakes tend to feel stronger at the surface than deeper ones of similar magnitude, as less energy is absorbed before reaching ground level.

Seismic context

Almeria lies within one of the more seismically active zones of southern Spain, linked to the broader interaction between tectonic plates in the western Mediterranean. Small earthquakes occur regularly, although most go unnoticed due to their depth or limited magnitude.

Events like this one stand out mainly because people actually feel them. While unsettling, they are considered part of the normal geological behaviour of the region. Several minor tremors have already been recorded in the province this month, indicating ongoing but typical seismic activity rather than an isolated incident.

Key facts at a glance

Magnitude: 4.3 mbLg (moderate, clearly felt indoors)
Depth: Shallow (a few kilometres), increasing surface impact
Location: Near Tabernas, with effects across much of the province
Impact: No reported injuries or material damage

For those who want to follow seismic activity more closely, the Spanish National Geographic Institute provides a public, continuously updated overview of earthquakes recorded across the country, including maps and timelines.

For local incidents, unusual events and notable developments across the province, follow the latest updates in our Community section.

Community & Local Life

Almeria Airport sees strong international growth in early 2026

Almeria Airport terminal with aircraft and UK travellers illustrating rising international passenger traffic

Published March 13, 2026 | Community

TL;DR: Almeria Airport handled 42,092 passengers in February 2026, with international traffic rising 61% driven by strong demand from the UK market.

Almeria Airport traffic jumps as international flights grow by 61%

Almeria Airport started 2026 with solid passenger growth, driven mainly by a strong increase in international travel. According to data published by Aena, the airport handled 42,092 passengers in February 2026, representing a 2.9% increase compared to February 2025.

This equals a daily average of around 1,503 passengers passing through the airport.

The vast majority of travellers used commercial flights. In total, 42,003 passengers travelled on scheduled services, while the remainder used general or executive aviation.

International travel grows rapidly

The most notable change came from the international market. While domestic routes still dominate traffic, international flights grew sharply.

Out of the total commercial passengers:

32,700 passengers travelled between Almeria and other Spanish cities
9,303 passengers travelled on international routes

The international segment recorded an impressive 60.8% increase compared to the same month in 2025.

The main driver behind this growth was the UK market. In February alone, 8,915 passengers travelled between Almeria and British destinations — a 77.2% increase year-on-year.

This surge follows the launch of two new winter routes to the United Kingdom: Bristol and Liverpool. Both routes started operating at the beginning of the winter season and significantly boosted international connectivity for the province.

Aircraft movements at the airport

During February, 806 aircraft movements were recorded at Almeria Airport. Of these, 506 were commercial flights, with the remainder consisting of training, private or other aviation activity.

Strong start to 2026 overall

Looking at the first two months of the year combined, Almeria Airport handled 77,470 passengers between January and February 2026. This represents a 6.8% increase compared with the same period in 2025.

During this period:

61,964 passengers travelled on domestic routes
15,305 passengers travelled internationally

In total, the airport recorded 1,503 aircraft movements in the first two months of the year, of which 962 were commercial operations.

Aena network performance

Across the wider Aena airport network, February 2026 also showed continued growth.

Aena operates 46 airports and two heliports in Spain, along with London Luton Airport and 17 airports in Brazil. Together they handled 25.4 million passengers in February, representing a 3.7% increase compared with February 2025.

The network recorded 218,751 aircraft movements and transported nearly 120,000 tonnes of cargo during the month.

For the first two months of 2026 combined, Aena airports handled more than 51 million passengers, confirming continued growth in air travel across the network.

Within Spain alone, Aena airports handled 20.5 million passengers in February, an increase of 2.8% compared to the same month last year.

According to Aena, a small part of this increase was linked to disruptions in Spain’s high-speed rail network earlier in the year, which temporarily shifted some travellers to air routes between major cities such as Madrid, Málaga, Seville and Barcelona.

Follow the latest local updates, infrastructure developments and community news across the province in our Community section.

Community & Local Life

Wildfire in Carboneras brought under control after rapid response

Map showing the wildfire in Carboneras near Llano de Don Antonio and the surrounding area

Published 16 February, 2026 | Category: Community

TL;DR: A wildfire in Carboneras spread quickly through scrubland late this morning due to gusty winds. Fire crews, supported by aerial resources, brought the blaze under control by early afternoon. No injuries or homes were affected.

Wildfire in Carboneras brought under control within hours

A wildfire broke out late this morning in the municipality of Carboneras, prompting a rapid emergency response. The fire started in the Arco de Cortina area, near the village of Llano de Don Antonio, and initially spread quickly across open scrubland.

Strong gusts of wind played a role in the early development of the fire, allowing the flames to move fast through low vegetation such as shrubs and dry grass. Despite the speed of the initial spread, the affected area consisted mainly of open terrain, with no immediate threat to homes or infrastructure.

Emergency response and control

Fire crews were deployed shortly before midday and were supported by additional ground teams and aerial firefighting resources, including a heavy helicopter. A water tanker and local support units assisted operations on the ground.

The combined response allowed crews to stabilise the situation relatively quickly. By early afternoon, the wildfire was reported to be under control, with the area remaining under observation to prevent flare-ups.

No injuries or evacuations reported

No injuries have been reported, and there was no need for evacuations. Authorities confirmed that the fire did not reach residential areas and that no damage to homes has been recorded.

Cause under investigation

The cause of the wildfire is currently unknown. Monitoring continues while the affected area cools and follow-up checks are carried out.

Wildfires in Andalusia are monitored through the regional Infoca system, which provides ongoing updates on active and controlled fires across the region.

While the fire spread rapidly at first due to wind conditions, the swift response prevented further escalation.

For updates on local incidents, disruptions and notable events across the province, follow our latest posts in the Community section.

Community & Local Life

Storm Marta puts Almeria on alert

Storm Marta causes wind and rain alerts along the coast of Almeria

Published 6 February, 2026 | Category: Community

TL;DR: Storm Marta brings continued weather alerts to Almeria, with strong winds on Friday and an orange rain warning on Saturday for the Poniente and Almeria city.

Storm Marta brings wind and heavy rain alerts

After a prolonged period of unsettled weather, Almeria is once again facing an active warning scenario as Storm Marta approaches from the Atlantic. According to AEMET, the combination of strong winds, rough seas and the risk of heavy rainfall means that much of the province will remain under close monitoring through Friday and Saturday.

While earlier systems brought intermittent rain and wind, Storm Marta is expected to consolidate these impacts, particularly during the weekend. The focus shifts from wind-dominated conditions on Friday to rainfall risk on Saturday, especially in western and central parts of the province.

Friday: widespread yellow alerts for strong winds

On Friday, AEMET maintains a yellow alert for strong winds across most of the province of Almeria. The only area excluded from the warning is the Levante, where conditions are expected to remain more stable compared to the rest of the territory.

Forecast models indicate wind gusts reaching up to 70 km/h, particularly in exposed inland zones, elevated terrain and along the coastline. Although there is a short window of relative calm during the early morning, the warning is reactivated for most of the day.

The main wind warning period runs from 12:00 to 23:59, affecting several key comarcas:

Poniente and Almeria Capital: yellow wind warning from 12:00–23:59.
Valle del Almanzora and Los Velez: yellow wind warning from 12:00–23:59.
Nacimiento and Campo de Tabernas: yellow wind warning from 12:00–23:59.

In addition to inland winds, coastal warnings remain in place. The entire Almeria coastline is under a yellow alert for coastal phenomena, driven by west to southwest winds of 50–60 km/h (force 7). Wave heights are forecast to reach 3 to 4 metres, creating hazardous conditions for marine activities and exposed seafront areas.

For the Poniente and Almeria Capital coastal zone, AEMET lists an overnight coastal warning from 00:00 to 05:59, before conditions temporarily ease and then worsen again later in the day.

Weather conditions on Friday will remain variable. Inland areas may experience cloudy intervals with occasional light rain, while the coast could see clearer spells between frontal passages. Temperatures are expected to fall gradually, and the snow level will descend to around 1,200–1,400 metres by the end of the day, affecting higher elevations.

Saturday: orange rain alert as Storm Marta arrives

The most significant impact from Storm Marta is expected on Saturday, when AEMET shifts the focus from wind to rainfall. An orange alert for heavy rain is active for the Poniente region and the city of Almeria, indicating a situation of notable risk.

According to the current forecast, rainfall accumulations of up to 80 litres per square metre in 12 hours are possible in these areas. The warning window runs from 06:00 to 23:59, covering most of the day and increasing the potential for localised impacts.

Although rain will be the primary concern, strong winds may still accompany the system, with gusts again reaching 70 km/h in exposed locations. The combination of saturated ground and intense rainfall raises the risk of runoff and temporary flooding, particularly in urban areas with limited drainage capacity.

The rest of the province will remain under yellow alerts for wind and coastal conditions. Rainfall is expected to be less intense in the Levante, while heavier showers may affect towns such as Adra, El Ejido, Berja and Roquetas de Mar, especially during the most active phases of the storm.

What this means for the weekend

Storm Marta will enter Andalusia from the Atlantic as a well-defined system, bringing moderate but persistent rainfall rather than short-lived showers. While this pattern can be beneficial for water reserves, it also increases the likelihood of localised flooding where rain falls over short periods.

Coastal and marine conditions are expected to remain hazardous throughout the weekend. Strong winds, combined with elevated wave heights, may affect promenades, ports and coastal roads, particularly during peak warning hours.

Inland areas, especially those near ramblas and dry riverbeds, should be approached with caution. These channels can fill rapidly during intense rainfall episodes, even if rain is falling further upstream.

Practical safety guidance

Residents are advised to stay informed through official updates and take basic precautions during active alert periods. This includes avoiding unnecessary travel during peak warning hours, securing loose objects outdoors, and using extra care near the coast and in mountainous terrain.

Avoid parking near ramblas, riverbeds or low-lying flood-prone areas.
Keep distance from breakwaters, cliffs and exposed coastal paths during coastal warnings.
If travel is necessary, check road conditions shortly before departure.

AEMET continues to update forecasts as Storm Marta evolves, and further adjustments to warning levels cannot be ruled out depending on rainfall intensity and wind behaviour.

Follow the latest local developments, weather updates and service information in our Community section.