Earthquakes Rattle Greece

Monday, February 4, 2008

ATHENS, Greece (AP) -- Twin earthquakes rattled the western Greek port of Patras, but there were no immediate reports of injury or damage, officials said Tuesday.

The Athens-based Institute of Geodynamics said a 5.4-magnitude quake occurred at 10:25 p.m. Monday and a 5.5-magnitued quake struck around noon Tuesday. Both quakes were centered around 100 miles southwest of Athens and 25 miles outside Patras.

"The activity is ongoing but the likelihood of a very strong earthquake is considered to be very slight," Institute director Giorgos Stavrakakis said. "This is a phenomemon of twin earthquakes or virtually identical magnitude. It's not common but it is well known."