Injuries Reported as 6.7-Magnitude Earthquakes Strike Eastern Papua New Guinea
Two 6.7-magnitude earthquakes struck the eastern part of Papua New Guinea (PNG), resulting in a number of injuries and damage to property, according to local media reports. Health workers at the Madang Provincial Hospital confirmed that a group of injured individuals were admitted following the earthquakes. To ensure their safety, some inpatients in the emergency outpatient ward were wheeled out of their rooms.
The United States Geological Survey recorded the first earthquake at approximately 6:34 p.m. local time on Saturday, with the epicenter located 56 km southeast of Madang town, the capital of Madang Province in PNG’s eastern region. The quake had a depth of 53.5 km and was initially determined to be at 5.6 degrees south latitude and 146.132 degrees east longitude.
Shortly after, at around 6:40 p.m. local time, an aftershock of equal magnitude occurred beneath the ocean approximately 52 km southeast of Madang, with the epicenter at a depth of 74 km. The earthquakes were felt in several areas across PNG, including Mount Hagen, Kundiawa, Lae, Goroka, Mendi, and Kimbe.
In Madang, residents were left shaken by the tremors, and many shops reported cracks in their walls, with merchandise falling off shelves. Following the two major earthquakes, PNG experienced four additional tremors, ranging from magnitudes 4.4 to 5.7.
The authorities are now assessing the extent of the damage caused by the earthquakes and providing assistance to those affected. The PNG government has mobilized resources to cope with the aftermath and is working closely with local communities to ensure their safety and well-being.
