While many around the country look forward to commemorating independence, authorities in West New Britain are working towards ascertaining the amount of damage done following the reported eruption of Mt. Ulawun in the early hours of this morning.

This is according to PNG HAUSBUNG reporter on the ground in West New Britain observation report this morning.

“Around 3am-4am this morning, villages in the Mera Mera Constituency, in the East Nakanai LLG were awoken by 6.5 magnitude tremors in the aftermath of the eruption where it is believed to have been categorized as a category 2 eruption.”

“The WNB Provincial Disaster office this morning advised all villagers in the surrounding areas to vacate immediately in the event the Volcano erupts again.”

At the moment, it is is being reported that villagers have already fled the area, whilst Provincial Disaster Officers officers are monitoring the volcano.

“Villagers from Ulamona have fled to Bialla, whilst villagers from Noau, Voluvol and other villagers in the surrounding area have fled east of the volcano.”

Meanwhile, attempts to get a confirmation on the extent of the damage by the volcano from the Rabaul Volcanic Observatory have been unsuccessful thus far.