Australia: Panic gripped in Australia when an unusually powerful earthquake of magnitude 5.8 caused damage in the city of Melbourne on Wednesday, September 22, 2021. The quake hit northeast of Australia's second-most populous city near the town of Mansfield at a depth of 10 km, Geoscience Australia said. Media showed images of damage to brickwork in Chapel Street in the inner suburb of South Yarra. Mansfield Mayor Mark Holcombe said he was not aware of any damage reports in the town.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said there were no reports of serious injury. The earthquake was the largest to rattle Australia since a magnitude 6.6 earthquake struck 210 km off the northwest coastal town of Broome in 2019.

Some apartment buildings were evacuated in central Melbourne, a city of 5 million, where photos showed partially collapsed buildings and rubble on the streets. The quake was felt as far away as Sydney and in the capital, Canberra.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Scott Morrison, speaking from the United States, where he met with President Biden to discuss a new security pact and submarine deal, conveyed that the earthquake was “very disturbing” and that the federal government stood ready to support Victorians in their response.

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