ATHENS (AFP) - A strong 5.4-magnitude earthquake shook the Greek capital Athens early on Tuesday, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) said on its website.

The quake was centred south-west of the town of Prokopion on Evia, some 120km north of Athens, and was felt in the capital just past midnight.

Firefighters told AFP that terrified people had run out onto the streets of the capital following the tremors, but no injuries were reported.

Earthquakes are common in Greece. In January, several thousand people found themselves homeless on the holiday island of Cephalonia in the Ionian Islands after a 5.8-magnitude quake.