Two killed in Greek earthquake

AN earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale struck southern Greece yesterday, killing at least two villagers, injuring another 37 and damaging homes and a military base, authorities said.

Dozens of houses were damaged, and 50 collapsed near the epicentre.

George Stavrakakis of the Athens Observatory's Geodynamic Institute said the quake was "the biggest recorded in the region" in a long time.

Some of those hurt jumped from balconies in panic when the quake, which was felt as far away as Italy, struck at 1.25pm, 54km south of the city of Patras, sending residents out into the streets.

“I’ve never felt anything like this before, I dived under the table and waited for it to end,” Patras student Vassilis Lambropoulos said. “Once it stopped, the entire neighbourhood ran out into the streets and tried to call loved ones, but the networks had jammed.”

"The quake was terrible. We have not had such a big one even though we're used to them," said the mayor of Pyrgos, George Paraskevopoulos."