A powerful 6.6-magnitude earthquake struck near Lae, Papua New Guinea’s second-largest city, early Tuesday, sending tremors through communities across Morobe Province, according to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS).
The quake’s epicentre was recorded about 26 kilometres (16 miles) from Lae at a shallow depth of 10 kilometres (6 miles), the USGS said. Despite the intensity of the tremor, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that no tsunami alert had been issued.
Police official Mildred Ongige, speaking by phone from Lae, described the quake as “very huge,” noting that it was felt strongly across the city. “It happened just a few minutes ago, so we don’t yet have full details on damage, but we are concerned,” she said.
Home to over 76,000 residents, Lae is a key industrial and port hub in Papua New Guinea. The island nation sits along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a volatile seismic belt known for frequent and sometimes devastating earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
Tuesday’s quake comes a year after a 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck the country’s East Sepik Province, killing three people and destroying more than 1,000 homes — a stark reminder of the region’s vulnerability to seismic disasters.
Authorities in Morobe Province say they are monitoring the situation closely for potential aftershocks or reports of structural damage, as emergency response teams assess the affected areas.
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