ATHENS Reuter: At least eight people were killed and 300 injured when a strong earth quake brought down a five story building and several houses in a town in southern Greece state run Greek Radio said today.
It said 10 people had been pulled out of the debris of the building in Kalamata and 20 others were still trapped inside after yesterday’s quake which also badly damaged a three story building.
A ferryboat captain in the town told state run television “There was panic in the streets many houses and buildings collapsed. The hospital was evacuated and half of the town was blacked out by a power cut.”
“Minister of Environment Evangelos Kouloumbis said 15 people had been flown to Athens for treatment.
Health Minister George Yennimatas and Deputy Defence Minister Vassilis Sarantitis were flown to the scene and the government advised residents to evacuate their houses and sleep outdoors the radio said.
A spokesman for Athens Geological Institute said the earth quake measured 6.2 on the Richter scale and the epicenter was 250 Kilometers (155 miles) southwest of Athens.
Greed radio said another earthquake measuring 5.4 hit an area 280 km (175 miles) southwest of the capital. No damage or casualties were reported.
Article extracted from this publication >> September 19, 1986
