Greece hit by moderate earthquakes

Two moderate earthquakes shook a region of central Greece early today, although neither caused serious damage or injuries, the Athens Geodynamic Institute said.

One quake, measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale, rattled the area south of the town of Agrinion, about 135 miles north-west of Athens, at about 6.17am (4.17am Irish time).

Four hours earlier, at 2.27am (0.17am Irish time), a quake of 4.7 magnitude hit the same region, with an epicentre 120 miles north west of Athens.

No serious damage was immediately reported after either quake.

Greece lies in one of the world's most active earthquake zones. Last month the western island of Cephallonia was shaken by a moderately strong quake that caused landslides, but no injuries.