A strong earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 on the Richter scale has hit the western Greek island of Kefalonia before dawn Monday.

The jolt caused panic and send residents into the streets.

A similar quake damaged hundreds of buildings across the island just one week ago. Seismologic activity in the region has been strong in recent months.

The 6.1-magnitude was registered by the US Geological Survey, while the Athens Geodynamic Institute listed a magnitude of 5.7. There has been a strong 4.5 aftershock as well.

The quake struck just after 5 am local time and the epicenter is 12 kilometers northwest of the island's capital of Argostoli.

According to Greek radio and other local media, the port at the island's second largest town of Lixouri, the closest to the epicenter, has been damaged along with a number of buildings, such as a collapsed hospital wall, and there are minor injuries.

Local Seismologist say the earthquake appeared to be a strong aftershock to the January 26 jolt, rather than an entirely unrelated quake.

Monday's quake was felt across parts of the western Greek mainland and as far away as the Greek capital, Athens, nearly 300 kilometers to the west.

Kefalonia's mayor and seismologists urged people on the island to leave their houses temporarily.

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