The US Geological Survey detected the epicentre near New Britain, Papua New Guinea’s largest offshore island, at 4.15pm local time (7.15am BST), An 6.9 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Papua New Guinea.

Mathew Moihoi, an official at the Geophysical Observatory in Port Moresby, said there were no immediate reports of damage.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre did not release a warning following the earthquake.