Marbella approves local action plans for seismic and tsunami risks

The City Council of Marbella has definitively approved the local action plans for seismic risk and tsunamis in the city, preventive tools that will serve to "anticipate these types of emergencies and ensure a coordinated, effective, and rapid response to protect the population," as reported this Wednesday by the councilor for the area, José Eduardo Díaz.

The councilor specified in a statement that, "although these are not situations of immediate danger to the public, they are scenarios for which we want to be prepared" and explained that both protocols "establish how to intervene, with clear evacuation routes and perfectly defined safe areas."

Díaz detailed that both plans were given the green light within the Permanent Commission for Civil Protection of Andalusia, the highest regional body in matters of emergencies, in which all relevant administrations and agencies are represented.

“The drafting of both documents began in November 2024 by the municipal technicians and external services, with the purpose of establishing effective measures in case these situations occur," Díaz pointed out, adding that "we are one of the few municipalities in Andalusia that has a specific plan for the risk of tsunamis."

Regarding the local action plan for seismic risk, he noted that it establishes a detailed analysis of the town's vulnerability, identifies the most sensitive areas, and includes a catalog of critical buildings and infrastructures that require priority attention in case of an earthquake. It also includes action protocols, evacuation routes, and safe areas, as well as an inventory of available human and material resources.

Moderate seismic risk area

In this regard, the councilor emphasized that "although Marbella is not in a high seismic risk area, we are in a region where it is moderate and requires planning and prevention" and added that "we have recorded more than a hundred seismic movements in the last few months in the Málaga-Cádiz area, although less than twenty have been perceptible by the population."

Meanwhile, the local action plan for tsunami risk identifies as particularly vulnerable areas the beaches, seafront promenades, marinas, and river mouths. “This document, developed in collaboration with the University of Malaga, also establishes evacuation protocols towards elevated areas, alert systems, and coordination mechanisms among the different emergency services,” he specified.

Both plans contemplate the activation of the Local Operational Coordination Center (CECOPAL), a key body in emergency management that integrates Local Police, Firefighters, Civil Protection, State Security Forces and Corps, and health services, according to the councilor.

Tsunami drill this year

Similarly, Díaz reported that, as part of their implementation, the City Council will carry out a specific tsunami drill this year, “with the aim of testing the protocols and improving the response capacity of all the devices involved.”

He also announced the upcoming update of the municipal emergency plan, which will allow the general planning to be adapted to new risks and develop specific plans for municipal facilities and equipment.

Preventive Tools

For his part, the Fire Chief, Medardo Tudela, has insisted on the preventive nature of these tools, stating that “emergency plans are not meant to alarm, but to anticipate.” In this regard, he noted that “the goal is to reduce improvisation and improve decision-making when a critical situation occurs.”

He also highlighted the importance of implementing the plans, stating that “it is essential to conduct drills and familiarize the population with the planned measures, such as the signage of safe zones or the guidelines to follow in the event of an earthquake or a tsunami.” In this respect, he mentioned that in a second phase, this signage will be carried out to inform the public about the points that could be affected and the safe routes.