4.1 earthquake shakes Nice and surrounding areas: more tremors may come in aftermath

Nice and the surrounding areas were shaken by a series of earthquakes and tremors last night. Residents reported buildings shaking and furniture moving. 

A first tremor, measuring 4.1 in magnitude, was felt at 18.45, with at least 15 others being felt before a final earthquake (3.8 on the scale) at around 22:45.

This is the most powerful earthquake the area has experienced in 20 years, said geologist Christophe Laroque. 

Other more recent earthquakes have had a higher magnitude but their epicentres have been in the Mediterranean and caused less impact on the mainland.

Some of last night’s tremors were powerful enough to shake houses and many residents felt the quake beneath them. 

No serious structural damage or injuries are reported but the emergency services faced many callouts during the evening from concerned residents.

Authorities have advised residents that further small tremors may be felt but that this is natural following a larger earthquake. There is no risk of a tsunami.

They are asking people to refrain from calling emergency services so as to not saturate the phone lines. 

‘I thought Putin was attacking’

The tremors were felt along the south-east coast, from the Var department to the Italian border, however were felt strongest in Nice and the back country behind. The epicentre of the main quakes being between the mountainous communes of Contes and Coaraze.

Residents reacted with fear and some humour. 

“There were two jolts, it was brief but I have the impression that it lasted a long time! The glasses clinked in the cupboard, it shook,” one told local media Nice Matin. 

“At first I thought Vladimir [Putin, Russian leader] was attacking but no,” said a resident of Contes, half-jokingly. 

“It wasn’t as strong [as I expected], although the furniture did move,” he added, noting that he called family members to see if they were impacted, some of which in Nice also felt their homes shake. 

"All of a sudden, everything shook. I was in the corridor, walking along. The walls, the plant and the furniture started to move... I was afraid the building was going to collapse, it was crazy, I was scared," said one resident of Nice's Cimiez district to local media BFMTV. 

In Cagnes-sur-Mer, residents thought there was "an explosion" with tremors lasting "about 20 seconds." 

Several people posted on social media about the earthquake.

“It's a nice day to find out that I haven't paid my earthquake insurance,” joked another on social media. 

Earthquakes common in France: what to do

Earthquakes are relatively common in France, with thousands of tremors recorded each year. 

However, they are usually not strong enough to be felt by people and far less likely to cause significant structural damage or injury. 

Mountainous areas of the south and east, as well as parts of Brittany, are most prone to quakes.

Read more:  Map: Which areas of France are most at risk of earthquakes?

If you do feel tremors during an earthquake, the best thing to do is get underneath a table or between two load-bearing walls to remain secure, and avoid going outside or near any areas where an object may fall on you. 

This includes going near electricity pylons.

If driving, you should stop your car but remain inside the vehicle.

In the following days, you should check your property for the appearance of structural damage, such as cracks.