Several dead as 6.4-magnitude earthquake hits Albania capital

A 6.4 magnitude earthquake has hit Albania, collapsing buildings and leaving people trapped under rubble.

The quake hit 34 km (21 miles) northwest of the capital Tirana, early on Monday morning.

A defence ministry spokesperson confirmed six people dead. One person had died after panicking and jumped out of a building, dozens have been injured.

The quake was felt across the region including in the Serbian city of Novi Sad, almost 700 kilometres away.

The spokeswoman confirmed firefighters and army staff are helping residents caught under the rubble in Durres, 40km west of Tirana.

The European-Mediterranean seismological centre said there have been a number of aftershocks, including one of 5.3 magnitude.