Chief Secretary Isaac Lupari calls for awareness of the danger of aftershocks and confirms that assessment is underway following a 7.5-magnitude earthquake that struck Papua New Guinea early on Monday (February 26) affecting Southern Highlands and Hela Provinces.
“The National Government has dispatched disaster assessment teams to parts of Southern Highlands Province and Hela Province following an earthquake in the early hours of this morning.
“The National Disaster Centre is working with provincial authorities to assess any damage and impacts on service delivery in the area.
“The Papua New Guinea Defence Force has also been mobilised to assist with the assessment and the delivery of assistance to affected people as well as the restoration of services and infrastructure.
“Information will be provided as this is made available from assessment teams in the area.
“As this assessment process is underway, it is important that people in the Southern Highlands and Hela be aware of the dangers of earthquake aftershocks.
“It is advisable to stay out of multi-story buildings, to be aware of the potential of landslides, and to be prepared to move to open ground in the event that an aftershock is felt.”
Source: Press Release
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