Large earthquake strikes western Crete, damaging homes
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Athens - A magnitude-6.2 earthquake struck at a depth of 21 kilometers off the western tip of Crete on Saturday, the Athens Geodynamic Institute said, causing damage to homes and shops but no immediate injuries.
The quake, which struck at 4:11 pm (1311 GMT) and had an epicenter west of the city of Chania, caused thousands of residents on the island to rush from their homes in panic.
"We are afraid to go back to our homes," said Hara Kontoridis.
"Suddenly we could hear huge rocks coming down from the mountains and then the ground began to shake."
Several magnitude-4 aftershocks were recorded.
The German Research Centre for Geosciences in Potsdam recorded the initial quake as being 6.5 in magnitude.//DPA
