The US Geological Survey said the magnitude-5.1 earthquake hit residential areas in Jayapura, near Papua's northern coast and was centred at a depth of 22 kilometres.
Shallow quakes often cause more damage on the Earth's surface.
"The residents were really panicked. I was in a car, and I felt like the car's wheels were lifted up," said Tri Asih, a resident of Jayapura, Papua's capital.
Officials said four people who were inside a floating restaurant died when the quake caused it to collapse into the sea on Thursday.
"The bodies of the four victims have been recovered," National Disaster Mitigation Agency spokesperson Abdul Muhari said at a news conference.
Key points:
- The shallow magnitude-5.1 earthquake hit residential areas in Jayapura, near Papua's northern coast
- Authorities say four people inside a floating restaurant were killed when the quake caused it to collapse into the sea
- The national disaster agency says houses, buildings and medical facilities were damaged in the quake
Click here to go to original story
Story first published by: abc.net.au