Residents described moments of fear as the powerful tremor shook buildings across the area.

“It was really, really big. We saw the barrels in the restaurant moving. It was incredible, brutal,” one witness said.

Yolanda, who lives in Granada near the Forum building, said the earthquake was felt intensely in her neighbourhood.

“It was a sharp bang, followed by movement and noise. It was short, but very intense,” she said. “I had the key in the lock and I took it out in case I had to run.”