Torrevieja Will Carry Out the Largest Earthquake and Tsunami Simulation Exercise in the Valencian Community on March 4

More than 350 people will take part in the operation named “Torrevieja 2026”, considered the most significant emergency drill held to date in the Valencian Community.

The Torrevieja City Council will carry out this major seismic exercise on Wednesday, March 4, coordinated by the Regional Government of Valencia (Generalitat Valenciana), with the aim of assessing the municipality’s response capacity in the event of a serious emergency involving a potential earthquake and tsunami.

This is the most comprehensive operation organized in the city to date and one of the largest in the region, with the participation of more than 350 personnel.

Activation of the Emergency Plan and ES-ALERT Warning

The drill will begin at 9:00 a.m., following the assembly and preparation of resources at 8:00 a.m., with the activation of the pre-emergency phase due to tsunami risk along the coast of Alicante.

The City Council will activate the Municipal Territorial Emergency Plan (PTM) and the CECOPAL, along with the corresponding coordination and self-protection protocols.

In addition, the population will receive an ES-ALERT notification on their mobile phones informing them of the start of the exercise, in order to prevent unnecessary alarm among citizens.

Three Main Evacuation Areas

Throughout the morning, various operational actions will take place, including preventive evacuations at three key locations:

• International Auditorium of Torrevieja (Scenario 1)

• CEIP Nuestra Señora del Rosario (Scenario 2)

• Aquópolis Torrevieja (Scenario 3)

At these sites, specialized units responsible for basic intervention, security, medical assistance, damage assessment, and shelter management will participate.

Extensive Deployment of Land and Air Resources

The operation will involve personnel from:

• Local Police

• Civil Guard

• Civil Protection

• SAMU

• Red Cross

• Firefighters from the Provincial Consortia of Alicante, Valencia, and Castellón

• SPEIS and forestry brigades

In addition, land vehicles, rescue helicopters, a water-bombing aircraft, drones, and specialized teams will be deployed. Extra participants will also act as actors to simulate real emergency situations.

Purpose: Strengthening Coordination and Public Safety

The exercise will conclude at 12:30 p.m. with a debriefing session at the International Auditorium.

The main objective is to strengthen coordination among administrations and emergency services, evaluate the effectiveness of municipal protocols, and improve response capacity in the event of a possible seismic risk, thereby ensuring the safety and protection of the citizens of Torrevieja.

The City Council has highlighted and thanked the collaboration of the Provincial Council of Alicante, the Emergency Department of the Regional Government of Valencia, and all professionals involved in this important preventive exercise.