Magnitude 6.6 Earthquake Shakes Lae, Papua New Guinea; No Damage Reported

A powerful earthquake measuring magnitude 6.6 struck near Lae, Papua New Guinea’s second-largest city, on Tuesday. The tremor shook the region around 9 p.m. local time, alarming hundreds of mourners gathered at a stadium, but so far, it has caused no reported damage.

Epicenter and Reach

The earthquake’s epicenter was located 26 km (16 miles) from Lae, which has a population exceeding 76,000. The tremors were also felt in Port Moresby, the nation’s capital, with residents reporting the shaking.

Panic at a Stadium Ceremony

Government official Malum Nalu described the quake as "very violent." At the time, he was at Lae's stadium attending a ceremony for the late governor of Morobe province, Luther Wenge. Soldiers were lifting Wenge’s casket when the ground shook.

"There was a big rumbling noise like a plane flying overhead, then the building was shaking violently for around three minutes," Nalu said.

Hundreds of attendees rushed toward the exits. The deputy prime minister, also present, urged calm amid the chaos.

Officials Assess the Situation

Mildred Ongige, a Lae police official, confirmed the earthquake was "very huge," but added that details on damage were still pending. Another witness noted that the quake stirred superstition among residents.

Several government ministers were in Lae ahead of a state funeral scheduled for Wenge on Wednesday.

No Tsunami Warning Issued

The earthquake occurred at a depth of 99.4 km. Authorities confirmed that no tsunami warning was issued.

Papua New Guinea lies on the Pacific's "Ring of Fire," an area prone to frequent seismic activity. In March last year, a 6.7 magnitude earthquake struck the remote East Sepik province, killing three people and destroying over 1,000 homes.