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(Image: USGS)

The quake occurred 86 miles east of the port town of Kimbe.

It is the latest in the region over recent days and struck at a shallow depth of 6 miles.

It was felt as far afield as Darwin in northern Australia.

The USGS estimates there is a 34% chance of fatalities and damage.

Its website states: “Overall, the population in this region resides in structures that are vulnerable to earthquake shaking, though resistant structures exist.

“The predominant vulnerable building types are mud wall and informal (metal, timber, GI etc.) construction.

“Recent earthquakes in this area have caused secondary hazards such as landslides that might have contributed to losses.”

This weekend, a 6.8 magnitude quake rocked the island.

It sparked fears a tsunami was to follow and forced officials at the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre to carry out an urgent investigation.

Papua New Guinea is prone to earthquakes as the country sits on major fault lines along the Ring of Fire.