(CNN)  -- A 6.7-magnitude earthquake hit near the Greek island of Crete on Wednesday, the U.S. Geological Survey said.



It struck at 12:30 p.m. (5:30 a.m. ET), the USGS said. It was centered about 80 miles (130 kilometers) off the city of Iraklion on Crete, the USGS said.



An earthquake with a 6.7 magnitude is capable of causing significant damage, especially in areas of poor construction.



There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries.



A staff member at Iraklion Airport told CNN they didn't feel the earthquake. Similar reports came from staff members at hotels just outside Iraklion and in western Crete.



A spokesman at the Greek Ministry of Health in Athens, 450 kilometers (280 miles) from the epicenter, also said he didn't feel the quake.



David Booth, a seismologist at the British Geological Survey, explained that the earthquake happened deep below the sea, leading to little risk of tsunami and reducing the likelihood that people would feel tremors.



-- CNN's Claudia Rebaza and Krsna Harilela in London, England, contributed to this report.
Where was the damage especially caused? What magnitude was the earthquake? Where was the eatrhquake? Whan can the earthquake cause? What did the quake cause? What's there no immediate word of? Where was the earthquake? Where did the earthquake hit?
in areas of poor construction. 6.7-magnitude Greek island of Crete causing significant damage, especially in areas of poor construction. There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. damage or injuries. near the Greek island of Crete near the Greek island of Crete
question: Where was the damage especially caused?, answer: in areas of poor construction. | question: What magnitude was the earthquake?, answer: 6.7-magnitude | question: Where was the eatrhquake?, answer: Greek island of Crete | question: Whan can the earthquake cause?, answer: causing significant damage, especially in areas of poor construction. | question: What did the quake cause?, answer: There were no immediate reports of damage or injuries. | question: What's there no immediate word of?, answer: damage or injuries. | question: Where was the earthquake?, answer: near the Greek island of Crete | question: Where did the earthquake hit?, answer: near the Greek island of Crete