Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Indonesia earthquake: Tremors felt in Australia as 7.3-magnitude quake strikes in Banda Sea

Quake rattled northern Australian city of Darwin for five minutes

Monday 24 June 2019 09:50 BST
Comments
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake was centred 129 miles below the earth's surface in the Banda Sea off the coast of Indonesia
The 7.4-magnitude earthquake was centred 129 miles below the earth's surface in the Banda Sea off the coast of Indonesia (BMKG Indonesia/Twitter)

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

A 7.3-magintude earthquake has struck the coast of Indonesia with the tremor felt in the north of Australia.

The US Geological Survey said the earthquake was centred 129 miles below the earth's surface in the Banda Sea.

It was felt in parts of Indonesia and in East Timor's capital Dili, as well as across Australia's most northern city, Darwin.

Many people were evacuated from high-rise buildings in Darwin after the earthquake rattled the city for around five minutes.

One worker, who gave her name only as Robyn, said no alarm had gone off but workers had decided to get out of her building anyway.

She said it was the strongest earthquake she had ever felt in Darwin.

There were no reports of any damage or injuries as a result of the earthquake, and Indonesia's geophysics agency said it did not cause a tsunami.

The Banda Sea tremor was recorded minutes after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake in Indonesia's Papua province, at a depth of 12 miles.

Rahmat Triyono, Indonesia's head of earthquake and tsunami centre, said the Papua earthquake was followed by several smaller aftershocks, but there was no immediate report of major damage or injuries.

Support free-thinking journalism and attend Independent events

Indonesia is prone to earthquakes and volcanic eruptions due to its location along the Pacific Ring of Fire.

A powerful Indian Ocean quake and tsunami in 2004 killed a total of 230,000 people in a dozen countries, most of them in Indonesia.

AP

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in