At least ten people are dead after two earthquakes shook southern Spain.

Authorities reportedly confirmed ten bodies have been found, among them that of a 13-year-old child.

The first earthquake measured 4.5 on the Richter scale and hit the Lorca at approximately 5pm local time, shaking buildings and causing damage to houses.

The second quake measured at 5.3 and hit the Murcia region town - popular with British holiday-makers - at 7pm.

It reportedly caused the roof of a nursing home to collapse, damaging several other buildings and splitting the tower of a church.

In addition, tremors were measured in neighbouring city Cartagena and town Aguilas.

Francisco Jodar, the mayor of Lorca, told a local radio station four of the deaths were due to “cave-ins and falling debris”.

Rubble from crumbling buildings and buildings destroyed by falling brick now cover the streets of the town.

In addition, a local hospital has been evacuated and military units are travelling to assist rescue teams searching for bodies in fallen homes.

Residents in the town described the moments the second earthquake hit.

Juani Avellaneda said: “I felt a movement of such force, and with such noise, that made all the furniture jump about. It was terrifying.”

He added: “Everyone ran into the street and then when we were thinking it was safe to return to our houses, the shaking started again.”

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