Strong quake rattles Greek capital

A magnitude-5.2 earthquake rattled Greece's capital early Tuesday, but there were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.

The Geodynamic Institute in Athens said the quake occurred at 4:09 a.m. (0109 GMT) Tuesday in the Gulf of Northern Evia, about 80 kilometers (50 miles) north of Athens  in a narrow strip of sea between the island of Evia and mainland Greece.

Greece's Civil Protection Agency said police in the city of Halkida, near the quake's epicenter, and elsewhere in the surrounding region, reported no damage.

Earthquakes are common in Greece and neighboring Turkey.

"It was an earthquake that occurred quite near the surface and was felt quite intensely in Athens  from an area where quakes are fairly common but rarely stronger than today's event," said seismologist Efthimios Lekkas, director of the state-run Earthquake Planning and Protection Organization.

"There have already been two aftershocks after this earthquake ... I don't think there is any particular cause for concern."

The U.S. Geological Survey also recorded the earthquake as being of magnitude 5.2, and at a depth of 5.8 kilometers (3.6 miles) .

 

 

 

AP