An earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.3 struck on the outskirts of Macedonia's capital, injuring at least 30 people and causing minor damage to buildings, authorities say.
The quake occurredon Sunday afternoon seismologist Dragana Cernih from the national seismological observatory told The Associated Press.
She said she received reports of cracks in the walls of buildings or collapsed chimneys, as well as damage to roofs in villages around Skopje.
At least 30 people were slightly injured leaving their homes in panic, crisis management department spokeswoman Nadica V'ckova told The Associated Press late on Sunday.
The US Geological Survey also gave the quake a preliminary magnitude of 5.3, with its epicentre 4km from the capital, at a depth of 10km.
The Potsdam-based German Research Centre for Geosciences, or GFZ, gave a magnitude of 5. Earthquake experts often give different estimates of magnitude.
Cernih said at least four strong aftershocks followed the big quake, while a smaller quake was recorded earlier in the day.
