Strong earthquake rattles eastern Australia

A strong earthquake struck eastern Australia on Saturday, toppling chimneys and causing temporary power cuts.

There were no reports of injuries.

Kevin McCue of the Australian Seismology Centre in Canberra said the magnitude-5 quake hit the border region between New South Wales and Victoria states at about 6pm (0900 BST).

McCue said the quake’s epicentre was eight miles from Swan Hill in Victoria, located about 240 miles northwest of Melbourne.

‘‘It is quite a reasonable sized earthquake and potentially quite damaging,’’ he said.

Swan Hill police Sgt. Ross McKenzie said the shaking lasted for several seconds. He said police had received calls from many residents whose homes had lost electricity.

The Melbourne-based Seismology Research Centre said there had been reports of chimneys crumbling and power failing. Electricity has since been restored, it said.

A magnitude-5 quake can damage homes if it occurs in a residential area.