(Xinhua)
Updated: 2008-01-06 20:58

ATHENS -- A strong earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter scale jolted most parts of Greece Sunday morning, the Athens Geodynamic Institute said.

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.5 on the Richter Scale hits the Peloponnese region of southern Greece early Sunday, the Athens Geodynamic Institute said. [Agencies]

The epicenter of the quake, which struck at approximately 07:14 a.m. local time (0514 GMT), was near Leonidio, between Sparta and Kyparissia in the Peloponnese region in southern Greece, about 120 km southwest of Athens.

The quake was felt throughout most of the Greek mainland, in the western Ionian islands and Crete in the south. In Athens, people could felt strong jolt.

"Strong shakes woke me up," said Christos Fotiadis, an editor of a local newspaper in Athens.

The tremor was believed to be followed by a smaller but also strong quake 2 to 3 seconds later.

The U.S. Geological Survey measured the quakes of magnitude 6.1.

There were no immediate reports of casualties and serious damages. Local media said seismologists remain on alert.

Greece is more prone to earthquakes compared to many other European countries. Reports said the seismic activity in Greece accounted for half of the continent's tremors.