Earthquake report a "mistake"

The false alarm came about during an exercise to test seismological equipment, the institute said.

The Portuguese Meteorological Institute apologised on Wednesday for reporting an earthquake earlier in the day that never happened.

The false alarm came about during an exercise to test seismological equipment, the institute said.

- The meteorological institute carried out a simulated earthquake of magnitude 4.2, with an epicentre 110 kilometres (70 miles) south of Faro, at 11:56 am (0956 GMT) - the office said in a statement.

- The exercise was used to test equipment and procedures and the information was published by mistake on the website.-

Small and medium earthquakes are common in southern Portugal but rarely cause damage or injury.