3 dead, 1,000 homes destroyed in quake in New Guinea

Three people died and, at least, 1,000 homes were destroyed after a 6.9-magnitude quake jolted Papua New Guinea (PNG) on Sunday.

Data from the U.S. Geological Survey indicated that a 6.9-magnitude earthquake struck the northern part of the Pacific Island country on Sunday.

With a depth of 40.2km, the epicentre was determined to be at 4.139 degrees south latitude and 143.159 degrees east longitude, located approximately 38km east-northeast of Ambunti.

The reports said that several regions in PNG’s East Sepik Province, including Ambunti and Wewak, bore the brunt caused by the earthquake.

PNG’s daily newspaper, Post Courier, stated that the disaster had claimed three lives to date, including a mother and her child, in Jikinumbu Village, and a boy in Sotmeri village.

At least 1,000 homes were destroyed after the earthquake hit parts of the East Sepik Province, which was already under strain from flooding.