BELGRADE, March 14 (Xinhua) -- A powerful earthquake measuring 5.4 on the Richter scale struck Montenegro early this morning, the Institute of Hydrometeorology and Seismology of Montenegro said on Thursday.
The institute said the epicenter was at a depth of 14 kilometers in the country's western municipality of Niksic.
According to a press release, tremors from the earthquake were felt across the country, but there have been no immediate reports of injuries. However, the institute has warned of possible damage in the epicentral area.
"Based on a numerical model of the change in intensity with distance in this region, the magnitude of the earthquake, and the depth of the hypocenter, this earthquake could have caused some material damage in the epicentral area," it said.
The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center initially reported a magnitude of 5.3. Additionally, two weaker aftershocks registering 3.1 on the Richter scale were also recorded in the area. ■
