Post by : Rameen Ariff

A powerful 6.6 magnitude earthquake in Papua New Guinea struck near the country’s second-largest city, Lae, on Tuesday night, sending panic through crowds attending a memorial service. According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the quake’s epicentre was located 26 km (16 miles) from Lae at a depth of 99.4 km.

The tremor, which hit around 9 p.m., was felt strongly in Lae city and even reached the capital Port Moresby, as shown in videos shared on social media.

Government official Malum Nalu described the earthquake as “very violent.” He said hundreds of people were gathered inside Lae’s stadium for a ceremony honouring late Morobe province governor Luther Wenge when the quake struck. Soldiers were in the process of moving Wenge’s casket when the ground began to shake.

“There was a loud rumbling sound like a plane overhead, and then the stadium shook violently for nearly three minutes,” Nalu recalled. “People panicked and rushed to the exits, while the deputy prime minister urged everyone to stay calm.”

Lae city police officer Mildred Ongige also called it a “very huge” earthquake, though she confirmed that no immediate reports of major damage had been received.

A local witness, who preferred not to be named, said the earthquake in Papua New Guinea had stirred fear and superstition among many residents.

Several government ministers are currently in Lae for the late governor’s state funeral, which is scheduled for Wednesday.

The USGS confirmed no tsunami warning was issued after the quake.

Papua New Guinea lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region highly prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. Just last year, in March 2024, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake hit East Sepik province, killing three people and destroying more than 1,000 homes.

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