Originally Posted by Sky News
Greece has been hit by an earthquake measuring at least 6.5 on the Richter scale, according to the US Geological Survey.
The tremor struck the mountainous Peloponnese region, near the major city of Patras.
Aftershocks rocked the regionAt least two people have died and another 50 have been injured in the quake, which was felt across the southern peninsula and as far away as Athens.
It caused panic in the strongest-hit areas, with people in towns and villages fleeing their buildings.
One fatality is believed to have been a man in his sixties who died when the roof of his house collapsed.
An 80-year-old woman in a neighbouring village died in hospital after being injured, according to the Reuters news agency.
Authorities were working to clear the national Athens-Patras highway, which was cut off after a landslide caused by the quake blocked off the country's main southern road artery.
"The quake was terrible. We have not had such a big one even though we're used to them," said the mayor of the town of Pyrgos, George Paraskevopoulos.
"It lasted for quite a while and everybody ran from their homes."
People fled towns and villagesReports said that aftershocks were continuing, with many residents in the region prepared to spend the night outdoors.
"My life passed before my eyes," Aphrodite Arachoviti, 22, told Reuters.
"I've never experienced anything like this before. Many people are still outside. They're going to sleep outdoors tonight."
Most of the damage has been to old houses, but in Greece, where there are hundreds of treasured ancient buildings, there are constant fears of losing valuable heritage to tremors.
According to the Geodynamic Institute, the quake registered at a depth of 10kms and aftershocks measured up to 4.7 on the Richter scale.
