According to the Portuguese Met Office (IPMA) website, the quake was recorded at 9.39am, and is the biggest one to have been registered the past 30 days in the area which it covers, which stretches from the Azores, down to the African west coast and around the Gibraltar strait to Spain.

The IPMA explained that it was mostly felt "in the Portimão area, from where we received the most phone calls and e-mails with regards to the situation."

Authorities also confirmed that the Dr. Garcia Domingues in the nearby city of Silves, was immediately evacuated following the quake, but students later returned for lessons.


The Silves Town Hall confirmed the incident, and said no damage or injuries to the school's 200 students were reported.


A source at the school told Lusa News Agency that "we all got a huge fright, especially when windows and doors started rattling intensely."


The source added that the evacuation procedure ran according to plan.


The IPMA later added that the quake was also felt in Albufeira, Lagoa, Lagos, Monchique and Portimão.