ATHENS, March 8 (Xinhua) -- A 5.3-magnitude earthquake struck northwestern Greece's Epirus region early Sunday, damaging houses, churches and other public buildings in Thesprotia and Ioannina, about 330-380 km northwest of Athens, local authorities said.
According to Greek national broadcaster ERT, damage was first reported in Polydroso village in the municipality of Souli, near the epicenter. Technical teams from the municipality have been inspecting buildings, with several houses deemed uninhabitable, Souli Mayor Thanasis Danis said.
Residents remain concerned as dozens of aftershocks continue to shake the area. Authorities said people whose homes were affected will be temporarily accommodated in a hotel.
Serious damage was also recorded in Psina village in the municipality of Dodoni, in Ioannina, about 360 km northwest of Athens. The local church of Agia Marina suffered major structural damage, with part of the building collapsing, while the village's central church, Panagia, developed large cracks.
An old school building and several houses in the village were also affected.
Meanwhile, landslides occurred along the old Igoumenitsa-Ioannina national road, prompting local authorities to deploy machinery to clear debris and restore traffic. No casualties were reported so far. ■
