Earthquakes

Quake hits northwest of Greek capital Athens: Witnesses

Tourists visit the ancient Acropolis hill, with the ruins of the fifth century BC Parthenon temple on June 30, 2015 in Athens, Greece.
Milos Bicanski | Getty Images News | Getty Images

A magnitude 5.1 earthquake shook the Greek capital Athens on Friday, sending people running from buildings in panic, witnesses said.

The European Earthquake Monitoring Centre recorded the quake's epicentre at 22 km (14 miles) northwest of the city. Its website quoted a witness as saying the quake was "strong but fortunately not very long".

Reuters witnesses said people had evacuated tall buildings in the sprawling city following the quake, believed to be the first to hit the capital since 1999. There were no immediate reports of injuries or damage.