Earthquake measuring 5.1 jolts Athens, no serious injuries: gov't spokesman

A strong earthquake measuring 5.1 on the Richter scale jolted Athens on Friday, according to the Geodynamic Institute of the Athens Observatory which revised downwards an earlier estimate given by the Euro Mediterranean Seismic Center.

The epicenter was located in western Attica, about 23 kilometers northwest of the Greek capital at about 10 kilometers depth, according to preliminary data.

No casualties or serious injuries have been reported, Greek government spokesman Stelios Petsas announced, but only problems in telecommunications and power cuts which are being restored.

Heavy traffic has been reported across Athens due to problems with traffic lights.

A police officer stands on a street next to a damaged car following an earthquake in Athens, Greece, July 19, 2019. [Photo: VCG/Reuters/Alkis Konstantinidis]

A tourist was lightly injured when part of wall plaster fell from a building in the center of Athens, local Kathimerini daily reported.

According to the Greek official, authorities have verified the collapse of two uninhabited buildings in Piraeus port suburbs, as well as damages in buildings in various suburbs of Athens and wider Attica region.

At least two uninhabited buildings in the city center have suffered damages, an eye witness told Xinhua and local Open television reported, while the Fire Brigade received calls mainly for people stranded in elevators.

Several residents of Athens evacuated public and private buildings as a precaution, as at least 13 aftershocks measuring 3-4.4 on the Richter scale were recorded, according to Greek seismologists.

Greek experts, such as Seismology Professor Akis Tselentis, appeared confident that it was the main earthquake, speaking on local SKAI radio.

In 1999 a quake measuring 6 on the Richter scale with epicenter in western Attica resulted in over 100 deaths.