Powerful 6.4 earthquake strikes Greek island

A powerful 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck the Greek island of Zakynthos early Friday, causing minor damage to the port and some buildings but no one was injured, authorities said.

The quake caused rocks to tumble down the island's slopes, in some cases crashing into beaches, and led several of the island's 40,000 residents to come out on the streets, Efe news reported.

"Kudos. Building regulations work in seismic zones. Earthquake-resistant buildings on Greek island Zakynthos survive 6.4 earthquake: no injuries reported," said the UN office for disaster and risk reduction.

However, a 15th-century monastery on the nearby islands of Strofades endured damage, a local newspaper reported, adding that three people received hospital treatment.

According to Athens National Observatory's Geodynamic Institute, the earthquake struck at 1.54 a.m. and its epicentre was located in the sea, 44 km southwest of Zakynthos, also known as Zante, and southwest of Athens.

The US Geological Survey had reported a 6.8 magnitude earthquake and there were dozens of aftershocks of 5.4 magnitude.

Zakynthos Mayor Pavlos Kolokotsas said that the situation was under control and no injuries were reported to him, although landslides triggered by the quake had caused some damage.

Schools and day care centres on the island remained closed on Friday, along with other public services, as a precautionary measure.

--IANS

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