Albania: The man in his 40s panicked, jumped off the balcony of the building and died when a 6.4 magnitude earthquake struck this morning.

Albanian Defense Ministry said the ill-fated man in the city of Kurbin, northwestern Albania was one of at least 6 victims killed in the earthquake today. The bodies of three others were discovered in the rubble in Thumane, north of the capital Tirana, while the victim was left in the port city of Durres. Information about the sixth victim is unknown.

The US Geological Survey said the quake struck at a depth of 20 km with a epicenter in Durres, about 20 km from Tirana, scaring the people of the capital rushing to the streets.

"There has been significant damage," Defense Ministry spokesman Albana Qajahaj said.

A three-storey hotel in Durres collapsed and another building in the city center was seriously damaged. Damages were also reported in Thumana, 30 km from the capital Tirana.

Health Minister Ogerta Manasterliu said at least 325 injured people were being treated at hospitals in Tirana and Durres. Schools in the three cities of Durres, Lezhe and Tirana are closed until further notice.

The quake was also felt across the Balkan Peninsula (stretching from Bulgaria to eastern Serbia). In the Novi Sad city of Serbia, nearly 700 km from the epicenter, people also felt the shaking. The earthquake brought a number of aftershocks, including a strong 5.3 magnitude.

This area of Albania hit a 5.6-magnitude earthquake in September. Officials described it as the strongest earthquake in 20-30 years. The Balkans area has frequent earthquake and earthquake activity.

The location of today's earthquake epicenter in Albania. Graphics: USGS.