Morobe province, where the epicenter of the 7.6 magnitude earthquake yesterday morning, has reported deaths and damages to infrastructure and properties.
The Morobe Provincial Disaster Office Director Mr. Charlie Masange, confirmed that three men were killed after being buried by a landslide in Wau in the Wau Waria district. Masange further said that reports of homes destroyed and roads damaged were also received. The main highways in Markham and Bulolo had large cracks in them and a health center at Buang was badly damaged as well.
Masange said he is still getting in reports and updates from his officers from around the province on the aftermath of the earthquake. “Monday we should have a good deal of information so I can have a full report to update the government on the damages and casualties, so we can start getting in some form of assistance to the people that have been affected by the earthquake.”
Meanwhile, the Port Moresby Geophysical Observatory confirmed on Sunday morning that the massive 7.6 magnitude earthquake recorded on the Richter scale, occurred at around 9:46am in Mutzing in the Markham Valley region, 65km West- North- West of Lae city and at a depth of 81km. There was no tsunami warning as the earthquake occurred inland, but there were risks of landslides occurring; therefore, the public were warned to keep away from mountain and hillsides.
The Observatory has also confirmed that it has received reports of damages at Kainantu in Eastern Highlands province. Similar reports of damages to properties caused by the earthquake were also reported in parts of Madang province.