CRETE, Greece 31 Jul (ANA) - A magnitude 5.2 earthquake has struck the Greek island of Crete.

 

The tremor hit at 7.40am local time (5.40am UK time) this morning near the capital city of Heraklion, according to the Athens Geodynamic Institute.

 

No injuries or damage has been reported.

 

One Twitter user described how they were "woken up pretty sharply" by the earthquake, which had left their "whole room shaking".

 

Another person, who said they were 40 miles from the epicentre, said their villa shook for four to five seconds.

 

Greece and its surrounding islands sit in an earthquake-prone area of the Mediterranean, with the country often suffering from magnitude four quakes, although severe damage or injuries are rare.

 

Last week, a magnitude 4.2 earthquake struck near Athens which was believed to be an aftershock from a stronger quake.

 

The previous 5.1 magnitude tremor occured on 19 July and caused buildings to collapse and knocked out phone networks.

 

Terrified Athens residents ran out into the streets as the city shook for 15 seconds.

 

Around three to four million tourists visit Crete each year.(ANA)

FA/ANA/31 July 2019---------