An Albanian youth stands outside his damaged house in Shupenz, near Peshkopi, some 200 kilometers (120 miles) northeast of Tirana, Monday, Sept. 7, 2009. An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.2 seriously damaged more than 100 homes in Albania and left scores of people without shelter but caused no injuries, authorities said Monday.
TIRANA, Sept. 7 -- The 5.4-magnitude earthquake that struck northeastern Albania Sunday night have damaged hundreds of homes in Albania and neighboring Macedonia, local media reported Monday.
The Albanian Institute of Seismology said the quake struck at 23:49, local time, with its epicenter in Bulqiza district, about 63 kilometers northeast of the capital city of Tirana and near the border with Macedonia to the east.
Officials said 166 houses were damaged severely and several hundred others suffered minor damages at the epicenter. Local residents slept rough and refused to go inside in fear of aftershocks.
Damaged house caused by earthquake.
Albanian Prime Minister Sali Berisha made a brief visit to the quake-stricken area and assured the local residents that the government will help them to rebuild their homes.
Albanian emergency services used two helicopters to transport tents and food to hundreds of people in the stricken area.
The quake, followed by dozens of small tremors, also caused minor damages to hundreds of houses in Macedonia, Macedonian media reported.
There are no reports of injuries.
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