Quake hits Greece, Turkey, 2 dead

Athens, July 21: An earthquake measuring 6.7 on the Richter scale hit a Greek island on Friday, killing at least two persons and injuring many others, with extensive property damage, authorities said.

The two victims were killed when the quake struck the Kos Island around 1.30 a.m. causing the roof of a bar to collapse, Efe news reported.

The quake was also felt in the Turkish province of Mugla off the Aegean coast, but only minor property damage such as cracks in buildings were reported.

It caused damage to many houses, with many residents fleeing their homes fearing aftershocks.

One-third of the Kos Island territory was without electricity after the quake.

The tremors were also felt on the island of Rhodes as the epicentre was located between the two islands at a depth of only 10 km, according to the Geodynamic Institute of Athens.

The US Geological Survey said the tremor reached a magnitude of 6.7, but Greek authorities put the figure lower at 6.4.

Shortly afterwards, a 5.1 magnitude aftershock struck about 26 km north of Leros Island at the same depth, followed by three more shocks of about 4.6, 4.5 and 4.7 magnitudes, not far from the first shock.