Powerful 7.2-Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Off Papua New Guinea Coast

A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.2 struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea, according to the Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre (EMSC) on Friday evening.

The center reported that the quake occurred at 20:04 UTC at a depth of 49 kilometers and about 182 kilometers southeast of the city of Kimbe, which has a population of over 18,000. No immediate reports of casualties or material damage were available.

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) stated that the earthquake is expected to generate tsunami waves ranging between one and three meters in height, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.