A strong earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale shook the western Greek Ionian island of Zakynthos Tuesday, the fourth earthquake to strike the region within 24-hours, the Athens Geodynamic Institute said according to dpa. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries, the Athens News Agency said. The underwater earthquake measuring 5.9 on the Richter scale hit at 20:29 (1829 GMT), with an epicentre 240 kilometres east of the Greek capital Athens. Three smaller earthquakes with a magnitude of 5.7, 4.7 and 4.4 struck the Ionion islands in the early hours Tuesday. Residents were alarmed throughout the island, and many rushed in a panic outside their homes. "We follow closely the latest developments which we see as not being normal," said seismologist Giorgos Stavrakakis. There was no major damage from the earlier earthquakes according to Zakynthos, Mayor Dimitris Gasparos, but only slight damage to two bridges. --SP 23 58 Local Time 20 58 GMT
