Magnitude 4.4 earthquake rocks holiday hotspot in Australia as tourists evacuate from hotels
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AN EARTHQUAKE has rocked a tourist hotspot near the Great Barrier Reef – forcing holidaymakers to evacuate.

The 4.4 magnitude quake struck near Townsville, North Queensland, around 9:30pm, according to Geosciences Australia.

An earthquake struck near Townsville in North Queensland, Australia
The earthquake struck near Townsville in North Queensland, Australia
A snorkeler observes colorful coral and fish on the Great Barrier Reef.
Townsville is a popular destination for tourists wanting to explore the Great Barrier ReefCredit: Reuters

Brenn Clinton, a British CEO, said his daughter is staying in a hotel in the town and had to evacuate the building.

He shared that his daughter had just FaceTimed him to tell him that she had been evacuated from her hotel in North Australia because of an earthquake. This was the first time she had ever experienced an earthquake.

Tremors were felt as far north as Cairns, 282km up the coast.

Anyone who needs help was urged to call the emergency services by the geoscience group.

Townsville is the largest community in North Queensland with a population of 200,000.

It is home to the Reef HQ Aquarium which hosts marine life, coral and a turtle hospital.

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Map of Queensland, Australia showing Townsville and surrounding areas.
The epicentre of the 4.4 magnitude quake was at the coast, near the coral reef
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