Greece is hit by 6.9-magnitude earthquake: Locals take to the streets after tremor is felt in Athens
Greece was shaken by a 6.9-magnitude earthquake today which was felt in Athens and sent locals into the streets in Larissa close to where the tremor struck.
Witnesses in Larissa said that ‘buildings were shaking’ and ‘dust was rising’ with one house said to have ‘shaken like a ship’ following the quake.
Local media said people had fled their homes amid the tremor which made itself felt not only in Athens but also in the capitals of nearby Kosovo, Montenegro and North Macedonia.
Numerous aftershocks were reported following the quake around noon local time, but there was no immediate word on injuries.
The mayor of Elassona, a town near Larissa, told Greek media that teachers and pupils had been evacuated from schools while any damage is investigated.
‘The phenomenon was very intense, but I’ve been halfway around the city and we will not have much damage,’ the mayor said.
The quake’s epicentre was measured at 14 miles from Larissa, with a depth of around five miles, according to the European Mediterranean Seismological Centre.
The EMSC put the magnitude at 6.9 but estimates varied, with the United States Geological Survey pegging it at 6.3.
More to follow.
Greece was shaken by an earthquake today which sent locals onto the streets in Larissa and was felt as far away as Athens