Earthquake shakes Greece today

A strong earthquake shook western Greece today but there were no reports of any damage or injuries.

The quake, with a preliminary magnitude of 5.3, occurred at 9:23 a.m.(7.23am Irish time), the Athens Geodynamic Institute said.

It said the epicentre was 290 kilometres west of Athens in the seabed near the Ionian Sea island of Cephalonia.

Police said there were no reports of damage in the region.

On August 14, a 6.4-magnitude quake had struck the nearby island of Lefkada, injuring more than 50 people. It also cracked roads, toppled lampposts and caused landslides.

The region is one of the most earthquake-prone in Greece. In August, residents of the Ionian islands held memorial services for the 50-year anniversary of a series of devastating earthquakes that had killed 476 people and flattened buildings on Cephalonia.

A quake of magnitude 5 to 5.5 can cause moderate damage in populated areas.