Seven people were killed and dozens injured after a quake of a magnitude of 4.2 was followed by a stronger quake of 5.2 in southeastern Spain earlier this afternoon, said local authorities from the Municipality of Murcia.

The quake struck the Sierra de Tercia area in Murcia. Television images showed collapsed old buildings, including a clocktower, in the town of Lorca.

Cracks in highways and roads, and a possible damage in a tunnel have caused a massive traffic jam.

150 emergency workers are out assessing damage and assisting victims. Officials told NBC News that they feared more could be trapped under collapsed buildings.

The larger quake was registered at 6:47 p.m. (1647 GMT), following a 4.4- magnitude quake at 5:05 p.m. (1505 GMT).