6.3 quake strikes Papua New Guinea

No casualties have been reported following a 6.3 earthquake which struck the east coast of Papua New Guinea.

The US Geological Survey said the quake occurred at about 9:15am (11.15am NZT) local time in the Pacific island nation and that the epicentre was 29km east of the city of Lae.

Officials at the National Disaster Centre in Lae told Reuters the quake had been felt in the city but there were no reports of buildings collapsing.

However, villagers reported cracks in buildings and a damaged water tank in the Hidden Valley gold and silver mine area, according to AFP.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii did not issue a tsunami alert.

- NZ HERALD STAFF