An earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter Scale was felt in Madeira at 8.58 pm. Reports state that buildings, outhouses, cars and the ground shook from the shock.
Bystanders say that buildings rocked, the air roared around them, cars shook and the ground heaved beneath their feet.
In a statement issued by the Portuguese Institute of Sea and Atmosphere (IPMA) the earthquakes epicentre was recorded 40 km southwest of Deserta Grande and so far no damage has been reported. The worst of the quake was felt in the region of São Martinho (Funchal).
Samantha Gannon
info at madeira-weekly.com