A strong earthquake measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale rocked Bulgaria at 3 a.m. on Tuesday, and was also felt in parts of Northern Greece, and especially Serres.

The tremor, whose epicenter was Pernik, a town on the outskirts of the capital, sent people out of their homes, though no serious injuries were reported by Greek or Bulgarian authorities.

Pernik did suffer extensive structural damage and was put under emergency status as residents were evacuated over fears of strong aftershocks.