Greece rocked by 5.7 magnitude earthquake off coast of Kalamata as shaking felt in holiday hotspots Athens & Crete
SOUTHERN Greece has been rocked by a 5.7 magnitude earthquake - with shaking felt hundreds of miles away in holiday hotspots.
The quake struck off the coast of western Peloponnese early on Friday morning.
There are no reports of injuries or damage yet.
The huge tremor was felt in Athens and the southern island of Crete - 214 miles away.
The epicentre of the quake was 75 miles southwest of the city of Patras, the Athens Geodynamic Institute reported.
The earthquake originated beneath the seabed at 10.5 miles depth near the Strofades island.
Greece is located in a seismically active zone where quakes are common - but most go unnoticed with no damage or injuries.
Hundreds of people reported shaking and "rattling" lasting up to a minute in various locations across the country on Friday morning.
Many noted the "long duration" of the tremor - and some described it as a "big one", according to reports on the European-Mediterranean Seismological Centre.
One person said: "That was a big one! The centre of the quake wasn't close to my home but I felt the shaking for 30 seconds at least!"
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Another reported: "Huge duration. Very strong vibration. Objects rattling, building creaking, light objects were shaking."
There were fears the tremor could spark a tsunami considering its location - but no warning has been issued.
Efthymios Lekkas, president of the Earthquake Planning and Protection Organisation, told state TV ERT: "The earthquake should be of great concern because it has been recorded in a marine area with a large focal depth."
In January, the coast of Pelponnese was again hit by a 4.8 magnitude earthquake.
Earlier this year, scientists predicted a devastating earthquake of 8.5 magnitude could strike Greece.
The seismological forecast caused concerns that the huge quake could have the same impact as the one that devastated Turkey, local media reported.