Powerful earthquake rattles remote Papua New Guinea
WELLINGTON, New Zealand — A powerful earthquake rattled forest villages and a large gold mine in central Papua New Guinea early Monday, but there were no immediate reports of injuries.
Officials were waiting for more information about damage from the magnitude-7.5 quake that hit about 89 kilometres (55 miles) southwest of Porgera in the Pacific Island nation.
Chris McKee, acting director of geohazards management for the Papua New Guinea government, said tens of thousands of people live in the forested highlands region affected by the quake.
“There seem to be quite a few reports of the quake being felt strongly,” he said.