Tremor hits Southwest Greece, no damages

Athens, May 7: An earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale shook southwestern Greece early today, but no damage or injuries were reported, Greek authorities said.

The epicentre of the quake was in the sea south of the Ionian island of Zakynthos, 240 km west of Athens, and was felt along Greece's western coastline, the Athens Geodynamic Institute and fire brigade said.

The quake, which hit at 4.34 am local time (0704 hrs IST), is the latest in a string of tremors that has hit the region in the past few months. Greece registered several earthquakes, with magnitudes reaching up to 5.9, off the island of Zakynthos in April.

Zakynthos and other Ionian islands on the western coastline are popular summer tourist spots for thousands of foreigners, including mainly Britons and Italians who own homes there.

REUTERS>