An official said a magnitude 6.7 quake that struck Papua New Guinea’s mountainous Southern Highlands early today, adding to the death toll from a larger quake nine days ago.
The larger earthquake killed at least 67 people.
The latest quake, which struck shortly after midnight local time, was a severe aftershock.
It was also in an area badly damaged by a magnitude 7.5 quake that flattened villages and caused landslides, killing at least 55 people.
William Bando, Hela Province administrator, said: “I have just received reports that 18 people were killed last night.
“It appears Hides was hardest hit.
“We haven’t heard about potential casualties there yet, but it is a big village with many people.”
Authorities and aid workers have struggled to reach the rugged highland area to assess the extent of the damage of February 26th’s first earthquake and deliver aid to locals.
Landslides, blocked roads, cracked airstrips and damaged telecommunication links have hampered efforts by authorities to offer an exact death toll and deliver supplies to more than 150,000 people that agencies estimate are in need of aid.
More to follow…