MADRID, Feb 16 (Reuters) – A moderate earthquake rattled the Portuguese island of Madeira in the early hours on Wednesday, scaring residents but causing no damage or injuries, the Portuguese Sea and Atmosphere Institute (IPMA) said.
The IPMA said the 5.1 magnitude quake, with an epicentre in the ocean, 45 km south of Madeira’s capital, Funchal, struck at a depth of 30 km and was felt with the maximum intensity of V on the Mercalli scale in the councils of Camara de Lobos, Ribeira Brava and Sao Vicente.
A V intensity quake is defined as moderate and is usually felt by residents of the vicinity and is capable of breaking some windows and overturning unstable objects.
Earlier, the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) said the earthquake was of magnitude 6.1.
Reporting by Mrinmay Dey, Andrey Khalip in Bengaluru; Editing by Clarence Fernandez and Inti Landauro
