5.1-magnitude earthquake shakes northeast Montenegro

BELGRADE, Jan. 4 (Xinhua) -- A moderate earthquake struck Montenegro on Thursday around noon with an epicenter in the area of the town of Plav in northeast of the country, local media reported.

The quake forced around 10 families to relocate from their homes.

According to the Institute for Hydrometeorology and Seismology, the earthquake of 5.1 magnitude on the Richter scale had a depth of 14 km. It caused damage to roofs, older houses as well as chimneys, causing a landslide on a local road.

"So far, there is no information about human casualties caused by the earthquake," the interior ministry stated.

According to Montenegrin public broadcaster RTCG, inhabitants of the areas struck by the quake said that they have never witnessed such a powerful one.

Montenegrin Prime Minister Dusko Markovic told authorities to increase help to affected citizens. The government would also help repair damage in the municipalities of Plav, Gusinje, Andrijevica and Berane. Enditem