(KISS 1011) – A “powerful” earthquake has hit Darwin. Reports started coming in just before 1:00pm AEDT and it’s believed it was a 7.1 magnitude quake. Shops are closing and buildings are being evacuated in response. The Bureau Of Meteorology is reporting there is no tsunami threat. Reports on Twitter indicate that Darwin offices, schools, and tall buildings have been evacuated after an earthquake which appears to have centered on the PNG highlands. READ MORE

UPDATE: The latest earthquake hit the village of Saumlaki in the Yamdena islands. The 7.5 quake hit a depth of 129 miles (208km) and as of yet, there is no tsunami warning in place. Leading up to the Saumlaki quake, there had also been four tremors in Papua region of Indonesia. An eye witness told EMSC said: “It was so strong, everyone panics and ran through the emergency exit stairs. I was on the eighth floor.” Another said: “It lasted over a minute, long shaking that became more intense as time went on. “We ran outside and sat down and the shaking continued for another 30 seconds or more.” The first of those three struck at 12.26am local time (3.26am BST). FULL REPORT