6.4 Magnitude Earthquake Hits Coast of Papua New Guinea

(MENAFN- QNA) A strong magnitude 6.4 earthquake has struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea on Friday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) says.

The quake, which was initially reported at 6.9 magnitude before being revised lower, hit at a depth of 65 kilometres in the New Britain region, the USGS said. There were no immediate reports of damage.

In April a powerful 7.1-magnitude tremor struck off Papua New Guinea off the town of Panguna on the remote and volcanic Bougainville island. It which was followed by a 6.7-magnitude quake a little further from the town.

In 2013 the neighbouring Solomons Island were hit by a devastating tsunami after an 8.0-magnitude earthquake rattled the region. That tsunami left at least 10 people dead, destroyed hundreds of homes and left thousands of people homeless.