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IN PHOTO: Life rafts carrying survivors float on rough waters after MV Rabaul Queen ferry (R) sank off Papua New Guinea February 2, 2012. About 100 people are feared trapped inside a ferry that sank in rough weather off Papua New Guinea, a rescue official said on Friday, a day after the crowded boat went down with about 350 people on board. Rescuers plucked 238 people from the sea off PNG's northeast coast after the MV Rabaul Queen was hit by three large waves and quickly sank, Rony Naigu, a rescue official from Papua New Guinea's maritime safety authority, said on Friday. Picture taken February 2, 2012. REUTERS/Papua New Guinea Post Courier

A massive earthquake of magnitude 7.4 on the Richter scale reportedly hits along the coast of Papua New Guinea region, causing a small tsunami and minor damage to some tall construction in the town of Kokopo in East New Britain province. The earthquake struck at 11:44am (AEST), with an epicentre 139 kilometres away from south of Kokopo that disrupted the power lines in the area. Though a warning for “hazardous” was issued for islands within 300kms of the epicenter, but the worst is over according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre's (PTWC).

"[Tsunami] waves were observed in Rabaul from about 12:15(pm) for roughly an hour," said Chris McKee, assistant director of the Geophysical Observatory.

"The sea receded first and then came back in and they saw several cycles of tsunami action in Rabaul harbour."

Meanwhile, East New Britain governor assured PNG’s Prime Minister Peter O’Neill that the Provincial Disaster Office has been supervising the after effects. Mr. O'Neill is also aware of the fact that people in the island regions are always watchful of possible tsunamis. "I call on local leaders to ensure you communicate with your people and in particular continue to education children on the warning signs," he added.

Thankfully, no injuries or major damages have been reported so far. However, some local residents found the earthquake intense enough to throw items off supermarket shelves. A resident witnessed a landslide on Vunabakut Hill next to the market, which blocked the road that heads to the hill.

A woman who was at the Kokopo Village Resort said, she was frightened and ran outside but didn’t see any damages caused by the quake.

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