Strong earthquake shakes Greece

8 January 2006

According to the Athens Geodynamic Institute, the quake was measured 6.9 on the Richter scale.

The quake occurred at 13:35 (1135 GMT) and the epicenter is located in the deep sea near the island of Kythira, about 125 kilometers south of Athens, the institute said. The fact that it occurred deep in the sea helped to avoid injuries and damages. Only 3 injuries were reported, and Kythira island suffered minor damages, authorities said.

The quake lasted for 20 seconds and the strong shaking was clearly felt as far away as northern Greece, Egypt, and Jordan.

On Saturday, a small earthquake measuring 4.5 magnitude, was registered off the coast of the Greek island of Kephalonia.