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Melbourne earthquake: Tremor rattles southeast Australia | Melbourne earthquake: Tremor rattles southeast Australia |
(about 1 hour later) | |
Melbourne's popular Chapel St shopping precinct was among areas damaged | Melbourne's popular Chapel St shopping precinct was among areas damaged |
A 5.8 magnitude earthquake has rattled southeast Australia, damaging buildings in the city of Melbourne. | |
The earthquake happened about 09:15 local time (00:15 GMT) on Wednesday at Mansfield, not far from the Victorian state capital. | |
Prime Minister Scott Morrison said "we have had no reports of serious injuries and that is very good news". | |
The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring South Australia and New South Wales (NSW). | The earthquake was also felt in neighbouring South Australia and New South Wales (NSW). |
It was followed by two aftershocks of 4.0 and 3.1 magnitude. | |
While this is one of Australia's largest earthquakes in recent years, it does not appear to have caused significant damage. | |
Speaking from the US, Mr Morrison noted earthquakes were uncommon in Australia and "it can be very, very disturbing event". | |
Melbourne is home to about five million people | |
Victoria's State Emergency Service warned residents to be alert for possible aftershocks. | Victoria's State Emergency Service warned residents to be alert for possible aftershocks. |
"If you are located in Victoria, you are in danger. Expect aftershocks, stay away from damaged buildings and other hazards. Avoid driving, except for emergencies," the authority said. | "If you are located in Victoria, you are in danger. Expect aftershocks, stay away from damaged buildings and other hazards. Avoid driving, except for emergencies," the authority said. |
Quake hit during heart operation | |
Surgeon Sameer Thakur said he had been performing a heart bypass operation in Geelong, near Melbourne, when the quake hit. | |
"We're sort of in the crux of the operation and we just felt the whole operating table move," he told BBC Newsday. | |
"Looking around the room, all the IV poles were moving and some of the clamps that we have, they were all shaking." | |
He said "fortunately we were at a stage where we could come to a halt" until the shaking stopped, allowing them to complete the surgery. | |
The Australian Broadcasting Corporation shared a clip of its breakfast TV presenters reacting in the studio as the earthquake hit. | The Australian Broadcasting Corporation shared a clip of its breakfast TV presenters reacting in the studio as the earthquake hit. |
"Is it an earthquake or a structural thing?" presenter Michael Rowland can be heard asking producers. "Let's go… that was a big one." | "Is it an earthquake or a structural thing?" presenter Michael Rowland can be heard asking producers. "Let's go… that was a big one." |
A magnitude six #Earthquake has rattled Melbourne and regional Victoria.This is the moment when News Breakfast presenters @mjrowland68 and @Tonaaayy_ were rocked by it. pic.twitter.com/Z4gz0sWJve | A magnitude six #Earthquake has rattled Melbourne and regional Victoria.This is the moment when News Breakfast presenters @mjrowland68 and @Tonaaayy_ were rocked by it. pic.twitter.com/Z4gz0sWJve |
Several high-rise towers and a city hospital were also briefly evacuated, residents reported. Some city tram lines had been suspended due to damage. | |
South Australia Premier Stephen Marshall said his state had felt aftershocks. | |
One federal MP, Michael McCormack, said the "ground [was] shaking violently" in Wagga Wagga, NSW. | |
Large earthquakes are uncommon in Australia because the continent lies centrally on a tectonic plate. | |
This quake struck at a shallow depth of 10km (6.5 miles), according to Geosciences Australia. It was initially measured at 6.0 magnitude before being revised to 5.8. | |
The geoscience agency says Australia experiences a potentially damaging earthquake - defined as above 6.0 magnitude - about every 10 years. | |
Melbourne, the country's second largest city, is home to about five million people. | Melbourne, the country's second largest city, is home to about five million people. |
The city is currently in lockdown due to a recent wave of coronavirus cases. | The city is currently in lockdown due to a recent wave of coronavirus cases. |