Strong Earthquake Hits New Britain Region In Papua New Guinea

A powerful earthquake measuring 6.9 on the Richter scale struck the New Britain region of Papua New Guinea early on Saturday, April 5, 2025, at 01:34:43 IST.

The tremor sent shockwaves through the area, prompting immediate responses from local authorities and international monitoring agencies.

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake’s epicenter was located 194 kilometers southeast of Kimbe, the capital of West New Britain province.

The quake’s coordinates were 6.23 degrees South latitude and 151.64 degrees East longitude, with a depth of 10 kilometers.

The National Center for Seismology confirmed the earthquake’s occurrence in a post on X (formerly Twitter), providing the following details: “EQ of M: 6.9, On: 05/04/2025 01:34:43 IST, Lat: 6.23 S, Long: 151.64 E, Depth: 10 Km, Location: New Britain Region PNG”

Tsunami Warning Issued After Earthquake

Due to the significant seismic activity, the US Tsunami Warning Center quickly issued a tsunami alert for the region.

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and the National Weather Service issued warnings to nearby areas, forecasting hazardous tsunami waves for some coasts.

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Approximately 30 minutes later, a smaller earthquake, with a preliminary magnitude of 5.3, occurred near the same location.

Authorities are closely monitoring the situation for potential aftershocks and additional seismic activity.

At this time, there are no immediate reports of damage or casualties.

Authorities advise residents in the affected areas to stay alert for any aftershocks while they continue to assess the situation.

As the situation develops, authorities and seismic experts are expected to release more information.

The public is urged to follow official channels for updates and safety instructions.