6.8 magnitude earthquake hits Papua New Guinea

Port Moresby [Papua New Guinea]: An earthquake measuring 6.8 on the Richter scale hit Papua New Guinea on Saturday.

The quake, 151km east of Kimbe, struck around 11.24 UTC, the United States Geological Survey reported.

Despite the huge magnitude, officials said there was no tsunami risk.

"Based on all available data there is no tsunami threat from this earthquake," a statement from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said.