Mild earthquake rattles Athens

2006-08-06 13:34

Athens, Greece - A magnitude 4.0 earthquake rattled Athens early on Sunday, causing no damage or injuries, authorities said.

The quake occurred at 02:10 (23:10 GMT Saturday), 13km northeast of the capital, the Athens Geodynamic Institute said.

Earthquakes occur frequently in Greece but rarely close to Athens.

In 1999, a 5.9 magnitude quake that struck the capital killed 143 people and damaging thousands of buildings.

Also on Sunday, the Geodynamic Institute said a 5.3 magnitude quake occurred off the coast of southern Albania, at 10:50 (07:50 GMT), and jolt the northwest Greek city of Ioannina and nearby island of Corfu.

There were no reports of injuries or damage.

- AP