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Masonry fallen from buildings in Melilla. Photo: Angela Rios / AFP

Watch: Moment south Spain struck by 6.3 magnitude quake

Published: 25 Jan 2016 14:05 GMT+01:00

Residents in southern Spain had a rude awakening early Monday morning when an earthquake measuring 6.3 on the Richter Scale struck in the sea between Spain and Morocco.

Strong earthquake hits Med between Morocco and Spain (25 Jan 16)
Central Spain rumbles as earthquake hits (23 Feb 15)
Earthquake rattles parts of southern Spain (10 Jul 14)

The epicenter of the quake was 164 km south-southeast of Gibraltar in the Alborán sea occurring at 5.22am (4 .22 GMT and Melilla) according to the United States Geological Survey.

Spain’s north African enclave of Melilla experienced the worst of the quake, with masonry sent tumbling from the façade of buildings, where some 26 people reported sustaining "light injuries".

Residents were told not to get in their cars so as to keep the roads clear for emergency services and the schools were closed to allow inspections for damage.

The quake was also felt across Andalusia from Jaen to Malaga and along the Costa del Sol.

WATCH: Video of the earthquake

The National Geographic Institute reported a total of seven aftershocks.

Here are how some of those woken by the earthquake described the experience.

Deborah Cater commented on The Local Facebook page: "Woke me at 5.23, according to my phone, with the bed moving side to side and all the ornaments and pictures rattling. I'm in Axarquia, east of Málaga."

Did the earth move? Well it certainly did in our bedroom. Even the dog woke up. Scary & so noisy. Earthquake! #Frigiliana #Malaga #Spain
— Vern (@lecrin) January 25, 2016

Oh my god! Woke up by the power of mother nature! Just felt my first earthquake ever. #spain #malaga
— Sean De Bie (@Sean_Bieke) January 25, 2016

Wow, we've just had a earthquake - chair moving a lot... #Malaga
— Joanna Styles (@Jostyleswriter) January 21, 2016

In Morocco, authorities reported that a 12 year-old boy had died of heart failure after suffering a panic attack during the earthquake, while a 35 year-old was injured after jumping out of a second-floor window during the quake.

For more news from Spain, join us on Facebook and Twitter.

Fiona Govan (fiona.govan@thelocal.com)

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