Earthquake of magnitude 6 strikes Crete coast in Greece - as tsunami warning issued by authorities

The epicentre was in the sea 36 miles north-northeast of Elounda, which is on the northern coast of Crete.

It was 43 miles deep, according to the US Geological Survey.

Regional government official Giorgos Tsapakos told state-run television that "there are no reports of injuries or any serious damage" following initial assessments of the affected areas.

The shock was felt extensively across islands throughout the Aegean Sea.

Earthquake and Planning Protection Organisation director Efthymios Lekkas noted that deeper earthquakes typically cause less surface damage.

Greece sits on major fault lines and experiences frequent seismic activity.