Around 350 emergency personnel have taken part in the largest earthquake and tsunami drill ever staged in Torrevieja. The exercise began at 9.05am yesterday when residents received an Es-Alert message on their phones warning of a simulated seismic and tsunami risk.

The scenario included a mock 8.5 magnitude earthquake off the Algerian coast, later revised to 8.2, followed by a second simulated quake north of the town. Authorities activated both regional and municipal emergency plans, evacuated 17 schools, a shopping centre and several public buildings, and set up multiple command posts across the town.

The drill also featured collapsed buildings, trapped casualties, a forest fire caused by a fallen power line and a panic situation at a water park. Fire crews rescued ten people from rubble, while the Red Cross established temporary shelter for up to 150 people. The Military Emergencies Unit was mobilised, alongside firefighters from across the Valencian Community, police, Civil Guard and medical teams.

More than 800 volunteers acted as casualties, and air assets including four helicopters, a water-bombing aircraft and drones were deployed. The exercise tested a new Generalitat coordination system designed to remove administrative boundaries and allow immediate joint mobilisation of fire and rescue services across the region during major emergencies.