Earthquake and Fire in the Dolmens of Antequera: First Simulation in World Heritage

A major earthquake and a fire at the Dólmenes de Antequera have endangered the cultural heritage of the museum. This scenario was recreated in a World Heritage simulation, the first of its kind conducted in Spain, held this Monday at the UNESCO-protected archaeological site.

Specifically, the simulation recreated a 6.1 magnitude earthquake, with its epicenter in the natural area of Torcal de Antequera at a depth of eight kilometers. The earthquake subsequently caused a fire in the museum at the Los Dólmenes site, in the basement near the documentation center.

Following this, after stabilizing the emergency situation caused by the supposed earthquake and fire, the evacuation team safely transferred the cultural assets, prioritizing a series of items from the permanent exhibition.

About 200 personnel participated in this event, including members of the Civil Protection, Local and National Police, Military Emergency Unit, Provincial Fire Consortium, psychologists from the Eastern Andalusia College and Antequera Social Services, Red Cross, the National Radio Emergency Network (REMER), Fuego Foundation, Andalusian Institute of Historical Heritage (IAPH), and the Valencian Institute of Conservation, Restoration, and Research.

As part of the exercise, the Andalusian Council's Presidency Department activated the autonomic alert level and the Culture Department activated the Safeguard Plan for the site, as well as alerts at the IES Pintor José María Fernández and the San Juan de Dios residence in Antequera.

Participants in this activity included the Andalusian Minister of Culture and Sport, Patricia del Pozo; the Mayor of Antequera, Manuel Barón; and the General Director of Emergencies and Civil Protection, Alejandro García.

The minister noted that this simulation "not only served as a practical rehearsal but also as a model to follow for future exercises in other heritage sites" within the community and the country. Meanwhile, the Mayor of Antequera highlighted the importance of the simulation as "a key action" to protect both people and historical heritage, emphasizing "the collective responsibility to preserve and pass on this legacy to future generations."

For his part, the General Director of Emergencies and Civil Protection of the Council explained that only "plays previously practiced by the team" turn out well, which is why they have worked "hand in hand rehearsing the plays" to, if necessary, safeguard the integrity of the Dólmenes de Antequera as "one of the main historical and cultural legacies of humanity."