An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.8 struck the west of Albania on Saturday but caused only minor injuries, the country’s government said.
Citing the country’s Institute of GeoSciences, Energy, Water and Environment, Albania’s defense ministry said the quake struck 13 kilometers (8 miles) north of the port city of Durres, at Kepi i Rodonit, at 2:04 p.m. local time (1204 GMT). It said it was mainly felt along Albania’s west coast.
An aftershock with a preliminary magnitude of 5.3 sent also residents running out of homes and apartments.
Witnesses in Durres and the capital of Tirana reported damaged homes and apartments and power being temporarily cut.
Health Minister Ogerta Manastirliu said early reports indicated at least 68 people were injured, none seriously. All were treated at hospitals in Durres as well as in the capital Tirana.
Prime Minister Edi Rama canceled a trip to the United Nations annual meeting and returned to Albania to evaluate the damage.
Located along the Adriatic and Ionian Seas, Albania is earthquake-prone and registers seismic activity every few days.
Also Read
-
Magnitude 6.5 earthquake hits Turkey’s southwest
An earthquake of 6.5 magnitude rocked Turkey’s southwestern city of Denizli, the country’s earthquake observatory said on Thursday.It ... Middle East -
Magnitude 5.8 earthquake strikes northern Mindanao, Philippines
An earthquake measured at a verified magnitude of 5.8 struck northern Mindanao in the Philippines archipelago early on Saturday local time, the US ... World News -
Earthquake rattles greater Seattle area
Two earthquakes shook the Puget Sound region in Washington state early Friday morning, with the temblors felt into British Columbia and across the ... World News -
California governor says earthquakes are a ‘wakeup call’
The two major earthquakes that hit Southern California should alert people across the nation of the need to be prepared for natural disasters, the ... World News
