Earthquake rattles central Albania

Seismologists say an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2 has rattled central Albania, causing minor damage to buildings but no injury.

Albania's Seismological Department says the quake, which occurred at 2:59 am (0059 GMT) today, had its epicenter 6 kilometres southeast of Belsh commune, 44 kilometres south of the capital, Tirana.

Ervin Kasaj of the Seismological Department said some houses and apartment blocks in the towns of Cerrik and Peqin, close to the epicentre, have cracks but nobody was reported hurt.

Albania lies in a seismically active area.