Magnitude 6.2 earthquake strikes New Britain Region, Papua New Guinea

A strong 6.5-magnitude earthquake hit northern Papua New Guinea early Monday, but there was no threat of a tsunami, US seismologists said.

The epicentre of the quake, which hit at 0656 local time (2056 GMT), was roughly 110 kilometres (68 miles) east-southeast of Kimbe on the island of New Britain, at a depth of 64 kilometres, the US Geological Survey said.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said in a statement that there was “no tsunami threat”. There were no immediate local reports of damage.