People stay outside at a square near the National Historical Museum after an earthquake in downtown Athens, Greece on July 19, 2019. A strong earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale jolted Athens on Friday, according to the Euro Mediterranean Seismic Center. (Xinhua/Lefteris Partsalis)
ATHENS, July 19 (Xinhua) -- A strong earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale jolted Athens on Friday, according to the Euro Mediterranean Seismic Center.
The epicenter was located in western Attica, about 23 kilometers northwest of the Greek capital at about 10 kilometers depth, according to preliminary data.
The tremor was felt clearly in the Greek capital area.
No casualties or injuries have been reported so far by local authorities, but only problems in telecommunication and power cuts.
At least two uninhabited buildings in the city center have suffered damage,according to a Xinhua reporter who happened to be around. Local Open television also reported this, while the Fire Brigade has received calls mainly for people stranded in elevators.
A few residents of Athens evacuated public and private buildings as a precaution, as at least four aftershocks measuring 3-4.2 on the Richter scale were recorded.
In 1999, a quake measuring 6 on the Richter scale with epicenter in western Attica resulted in over 100 deaths.
