6.1-magnitude quake hits Indonesia’s Central Papua: USGS

AFP/APP

Jakarta: A shallow earthquake measuring 6.1 struck Indonesia’s Central Papua province early Friday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) reported, with no immediate reports of casualties.

According to USGS, the epicentre was located 28 kilometres (17 miles) south of Nabire town, on the Indonesian half of the Pacific island shared with Papua New Guinea.

Abdul Muhari, spokesman for Indonesia’s national disaster mitigation agency, confirmed the quake damaged several public facilities but caused no fatalities. “Initial monitoring also reported broken glass at an airport, collapsed ceilings in a regent’s office, a damaged bridge, and disruptions to power and telecommunications,” he said in a statement.

The quake struck around 3 am local time (1800 GMT Thursday), jolting residents from sleep. “I was sleeping soundly but it was getting bigger, so I ran outside with other family members,” 37-year-old Cicilia Mamman told AFP.

Authorities said assessments were continuing, but no major casualties had been reported.