5.5 Richter quake off southern Turkey

PARIS, Jan 24 (AFP) - An earthquake measuring 5.5 on the Richter scale hit the Mediterranean off the southern Turkish port of Kas late Sunday, France's earth sciences observatory in Strasbourg reported.
The epicentre of the quake, which hit at 2236 GMT, was recorded at 36 degrees latitude and 29.90 degrees longitude. The small Greek island of Megisti is situated opposite Kas.
There were no initial reports on any damage or casualties.
Earthquakes often hit Turkey. In 1999 some 20,000 people perished in two violent quakes in the country's densely-populated northeast.

01/24/2005 02:25 GMT - AFP