6.8 magnitude earthquake hits Papua New Guinea: USGS

PAPUA NEW GUINEA, Papua New Guinea (AFP) - A 6.8 magnitude earthquake hit Papua New Guinea in the early hours of Monday, according to the US Geological Survey, after a 7.2 quake struck off the country's northeast coast just hours before.

The 6.8 quake occurred near the town of Kandrian, on the island of New Britain, at 6.30am (4.30am Singapore time).

It hit 30km north-east of the town, at a depth of 62km.

Two hours before, a 7.2 magnitude quake struck off the coast of the island of New Ireland. No tsunami warning was issued.

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