A strong earthquake registering magnitude 6.8 has struck Papua New Guinea’s northern coast, sending people scrambling for higher ground.

It appears that the threat of a tsunami never materialized, although respecting the sea is always a good idea in an area where a tsunami killed at least 2,200 people and left thousands more homeless back in 1998.  Today’s quake is close to the strength of the earlier disaster, but the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center detected no unusual wave activity.

Seismologists are worried about the potential for damage in and around the small town of Aitape.  The PNG Natural Disaster Center is still trying to contact Police and Rescue Officials in the area.

Earlier, an even stronger magnitude 7.8 temblor shook the border of Iran and Pakistan near the city of Khash.  Pakistan says more than 30 people were killed on its side.  But Iran retracted earlier reports of more than 25 deaths.