Athens - A moderate earthquake measuring 5.3 on the Richter scale shook the southern Mediterranean island of Crete on Tuesday, but there were no immediate reports of injuries, officials said.

The underwater earthquake, which took place at 8.30 am (0630 GMT), had an epicentre just east of Crete and the Dodecanese island of Rhodes, the Athens Geodynamic Institute said.

Residents on several islands in the eastern Aegean felt the quake, which lasted for several seconds. (dpa)