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).

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".

A cordoned-off street in Melbourne after the earthquake

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.

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.

"Is it an earthquake or a structural thing?" presenter Michael Rowland was later shown asking producers. "Let's go… that was a big one."

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.

The city is currently in lockdown due to a recent wave of coronavirus cases.

SOURCE





Residents were asked to vacate high rise buildings


The moment the earthquake shook the ABC studio in Australia during a live breakfast show

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=exgFNlecaJc

FTC.... for the first time on nairaland.
Indeed today will be a great day..

God bless everyone working hard to survive this terrible state we r in presently..Amen.

1love guys

Waw

Every country has their own wahala
Those who run away from 9ar because of insecurity , may even run enter in an European country where earthquake will take their life jejeli

It also hit California 5days ago.
But it was about 4.8 magnitude.

Let your mercy prevail, Lord

Thank God say non like this no dey naija..Imagine Natural disaster come join hunger and bad leadership in a country ..na hell in a cell be that

Nah wahoo

Earthquake, volcano but bad leadership beats dem all

Hmmmmm

Glad no casualties were recorded

End time signs.......................

This is getting serious ooo..

We pray for safety for everyone, the first responders, paramedics, security personnel and medical services. May you all have the strength to carry on

RIGHTEOUSNESS2 DA

If this had happened in a certain place inhabited by certain self acclaimed Sophisticated people of the fallen demon Oduduwa descent, blended by a crop of Development minded people of the pseudo Jewish extraction and littered by the fanatic aggregates of people Born to Rule but rather prefer to be Forest dwellers taking after their ancestors from the damned arid waste lands of the Fouta Djallon mountains ...Then one can be rest assured that Looting and brigandage would have been the order of the day.

Baba righteousness come give us some words of advice

MALIGNANTGuest:
It also hit California 5days ago.
But it was about 4.8

Imagine person in earthquake with hunger

Okay

These kind of natural disasters are not in our land. Even the world powers have no control over them!

In any good/bad that happens in this way someone gains and someone loses!

pretydiva:
All these things happening around the world are no mere coincidence. Give your life to Christ folks. The end of time is upon us

Wetin concern Christ with earthquake? I don't think Christ is devilish like that.

God made it happen!

All these things happening around the world are no mere coincidence. Give your life to Christ folks. The end of time is upon us

Omo,see as my future final destination dey shake

Ok