Earthquake of 2.4 on the Richter scale felt in Extremadura

Emergency services on the 112 hotline received a flood of calls after the quake to the south of the city in the land-locked western region of Extremadura was felt at 09.54hrs.

It only measured 2.4 on the Richter scale, but was fairly close to the surface – two kilometres below ground – meaning it was felt by almost everyone in the area.

Most who rang 112 say they heard what sounded like a rumble of thunder, followed by the floor vibrating for a couple of seconds.

Earthquakes in Spain rarely go much beyond level 3 on the Richter scale, which can feel alarming when it strikes but has little more force than that of a large lorry rumbling past.

They do not normally cause any damage to property or injury to people, and this was true of the morning's tremor in Extremadura, emergency services say.