The Athens Geodynamic Institute says an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 5.7 struck near the Greek capital before dawn Wednesday.

No injuries or damage were reported.

The institute says the quake struck at 4:58 a.m. and had an epicenter 90 kilometres southwest of Athens in the Argos area.

Greece is one of the world's most seismically active countries, but most quakes cause no injuries.

On June 9, a 6.5 earthquake struck near the western port city of Patras, killing two people and injuring more than 200.

In 1999, a 5.9 magnitude quake closer to Athens killed 143 people and left thousands homeless.