A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck the Bulgarian city of Pernik southwest of capital Sofia early Tuesday morning, rattling buildings and sending panicky residents into the streets.
The quake, which occurred at 3:00 a.m. local time, was followed by lighter aftershocks but caused no casualties. "So far, there are no (known) casualties or injuries, which is good news," Interior Minister Tsvetan Tsvetanov told reporters.
The epicenter of the shallow tremor lay in Pernik, about 30 kilometers south-west of Sofia, where police and firefighters were sent, he said.
The U.S. Geological Survey measured the tremor at 5.6 magnitude at a shallow depth of 5.8 miles (9.4 kilometers) with a 4.9 magnitude aftershock striking the same area 90 minutes later.
"Let's hope it does not strike again. I know that people are in panic and this is only normal," Prime Minister Boyko Borisov was quoted by local media as saying.
Pernik Mayor Rositsa Yanakieva said some 30 people in the city have sought medical help mainly due to high blood pressure. There were also no reports about damage to buildings or other property. No disruption in electricity supply or communication facilities were also reported.
Bulgaria is sitting on Europe's earthquake-prone Balkan region.
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