Source: SBSnews
A magnitude 6.0 earthquake has been reported in Victoria, with tremors reportedly felt across Melbourne and as far away as Sydney and Canberra.
The epicentre of the quake, which hit at around 9.15 AM AEST on Wednesday, was in Mansfield, about 180 kilometres northeast of Melbourne, Geoscience Australia says.
Geoscience Australia has also recorded a 4.0 magnitude aftershock.
Videos and images uploaded on social media structural damage to buildings in Melbourne’s inner-city, including on Chapel Street and South Yarra.
Emerging social media reports also indicate people experienced the impacts of the earthquake as far as Sydney and Canberra, as well as regional Victoria.
The mayor of Mansfield, Mark Holcombe, said it was unlike anything he’s experienced before in his 20 years living in the town.
“I was sitting down at work at my desk and I needed to run outside. It took me a while to work out what it was,” he told the ABC.
“I have been in earthquakes overseas before and it seemed to go on longer than I have experienced before. The other thing that surprised me was how noisy it was, it was a real rumbling like a truck going past.”
It’s understood the earthquake is one of the strongest ever to hit Australia.
The magnitude 5.6 1989 Newcastle earthquake left 13 people dead.
The Bureau of Meteorology says there is no tsunami threat.
Speaking from the United States after being briefed about the earthquake, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the federal government stands by “to provide whatever assistance is needed, whether from the [defence force] or others”.
He said he had not received any reports of serious injuries “or worse”.
