6.8-M quake off Papua New Guinea, no immediate reports of damage

A strong earthquake of magnitude 6.8 struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea on Monday, the US Geological Survey said, but no tsunami warning was issued and there were no immediate reports of damage.

The USGS said the quake was recorded at 2339 GMT on Sunday evening, 81 miles (130 km) east of the town of Wewak at a depth of 10.4 miles. But no tsunami warning was issued for nearby areas.

A spokesperson for Papua New Guinea's Geophysical Observatory in the capital Port Moresby said there had been no initial reports of damage.

He said the quake was felt in Wewak with an intensity of five. No local tsunami alert was issued.

PNG's National Disaster and Emergency Service said its office in Wewak had received no reports of damage.