ATHENS, June 8 (Xinhua) -- A strong earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 6.5 on the Richter scale struck southwestern Greece Sunday, local television reported.

    The quake struck at 15:30 local time (1230 GMT) with its epicenter close to the ground surface at a depth of 10 kilometers, some 58 kilometers north of Patras, the third largest city in the country.

    The quake was felt in Athens and throughout southern and central Greece, the report said.

    Some reports said that at least three people were injured and five others were trapped in a collapsed house. But there is no immediate confirmation.