At least three killed, 140 injured, as 6.4-magnitude earthquake strikes Albania

REUTERS/Florian Goga

At least three people have been killed and 140 others wounded after an earthquake with a preliminary rating of 6.4 magnitude struck Albania on Tuesday.

The United States Geological Survey said the earthquake hit at an approximate depth of 20 kilometers (12 miles) early Tuesday local time.

The epicenter was in the port city of Durres, about 13 miles from the capital Tirana. Social media videos from the area show several buildings have collapsed. Police told CNN-affiliate A2 that at least three people had been killed, adding that strong aftershocks were shaking Tirana.

Minister of Health Ogerta Manastirliu confirmed earlier in the morning that at least 140 people had been injured. Schools have been closed in three cities — Durres, Lezhe and Tirana — until further notice.