Papua New Guinea earthquake leaves 4 dead, 300 homes damaged

Police say figures yet unconfirmed as survey of damage still going on after island nation jolted by 7.0 magnitude quake early Monday

By Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) – At least four people were killed and 27 others injured due to a strong earthquake that hit Papua New Guinea on Monday.

An earthquake of magnitude 7.0, with a depth of 80 kilometers (50 miles), struck East Sepik province’s Chambri Lakes at around 4 a.m. Monday (1800GMT Sunday).

Provincial police commander Christopher Tamari said the earthquake killed four people, injured 17, and destroyed more than 300 homes, daily The National reported on Tuesday.

However, it added, the figures “were unconfirmed as authorities continued to collate information on the extent of the damage.”

The earthquake hit an area around 100 kilometers (62 miles) southwest of Wewak, the capital of the East Sepik province.

The tremor was felt widely along the northern coast of the mainland, and many Highlands provinces.

Kaynak: