A 3.5 magnitude earthquake hits Greece

Greek authorities reported that a strong 3.5-magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Greece early Sunday morning, but there were no reports of injuries or serious damage.

The Athens Institute of Geodynamics announced that the earthquake occurred at 5:32 a.m. east of the town of Leptokaria, about 50 kilometers from the town of Ioannina. The epicenter of the earthquake was at a depth of about ten kilometers, according to the Greek newspaper Kathimerini on Sunday.

The earthquake was followed by a smaller earthquake measuring 7.4 magnitude.

Greece is located in one of the world’s most earthquake-prone regions, but earthquakes that cause serious damage and deaths are rare. But in 1999, a 9.5-magnitude earthquake near Athens killed 143 people.

Many residents suddenly woke up from the impact of the tremor, and rushed out of their homes. Local media reported temporary power outages in some areas. Minor landslides occurred.

Earthquake expert Efthymios Lekkas said on the Greek ERT News television channel that initially no injuries or serious damage to buildings were recorded.