Quakes shake southern Albania, causing no damage

TIRANA, Aug. 8 – A series of tremors up to 5.5 on the Richter scale shook southern Albania over the weekend and first days of this week claiming no victims and only slight material damage, according to the Seismological Institute. The center of the quake has been identified in the Ionaian sea between Albania and the Greek island of Corfu. It was also felt in neighboring Tepelena, Gjirokastra, Himara and Memaliaj. But it frightened people on vacation in the Albanian Riviera who packed their clothes and left the area. On Sunday there were two tremors in Himara with their epicenter in the sea. Himara mayor Vasil Bollano said that local residents and people on holiday there were concerned about the shakes but have not reported any victims or material damage. An emergency group was created to check seven surrounding villages. The same quake was also felt in Saranda with no damage.