According to Geoscience Australia, the 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck in the Alpine National Park south-east of Mansfield, 190 kilometers north-east of Melbourne, at 9:15 a.m. today. The earthquake was initially recorded at a magnitude of 6.0 but was later downgraded to a magnitude of 5.0, with tremors lasting roughly 30 seconds.<\/p>\n
Eighteen minutes after the first tremor, a 4.0 aftershock was recorded. Another 3.1 magnitude quake hit at 10.15 am.<\/p>\n
![\"Earthquake](\"https:\/\/thetelegram.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/09\/Earthquake-in-Victoria-768x1024.jpg\")
According to Deputy Premier James Merlino, the state is on high alert as there is a chance of more earthquakes and aftershocks, which might last weeks or months. He said:<\/p>\n
“Buildings have been damaged in the Mansfield township, no reports of injury at this stage.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Mr Merlino said 46 minor building damage complaints had been received across the state, including in the Melbourne suburbs of Kensington, Parkdale, Ascot Vale, Balwyn, Prahran, Northcote, West Melbourne, and Elsternwick.<\/p>\n
Beechworth hospital had lost power in the morning, but they have been able to switch to backup generators. Most of the power outages in the state has also been resolved.<\/p>\n
Incident control centres have been established in Manfield, Dandenong, and Benalla. Public transportation has been impacted, particularly on the Traralgon and Seymour rail lines.<\/p>\n
Though Mr Merlino did not feel the quake, his wife and children did feel the tremors. He said:<\/p>\n
“It was right across Melbourne and many parts of regional Victoria, this was quite a significant event and quite scary for a lot of people.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
He continued:<\/p>\n
“Please take care, keep observing the EMV alerts and warnings that have been issued and there will be more to say later in the day.”<\/p><\/blockquote>\n
Speaking earlier from the United States, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the earthquake was “extremely disconcerting” and distressing and that the federal government was ready to assist Victorians as needed.<\/p>\n
\nMorrison speaks on Vic Earthquake from the Gates of Hell\u2026\ud83d\ude2c pic.twitter.com\/fenVS7ZCuy<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Emergency&BushfireKits (@EmergencyBK) September 22, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n
\nTremor felt across @temorashire<\/a> as well. #earthquake<\/a><\/p>\n
\u2014 Michael McCormack (@M_McCormackMP) September 21, 2021<\/a><\/p><\/blockquote>\n