IN PICS | Rare Earthquake Of 5.9 Magnitude Hits South-Eastern Australia, No Alert Of Tsunami

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An earthquake of 5.9 magnitude hit southeastern Australia early Wednesday, panicked residents came out into the streets of Melbourne. (AFP Photo)

While the earthquake is considered to be relatively shallow, some bricks did come off especially in a popular shopping area in Chapel Street, Melbourne. (AFP Photo)

Sizable earthquakes are unusual in Australia's populated southeast. Residents told AFP that the quake felt violent and sent everyone in a state of shock. (AFP Photo)

Some damage was seen on buildings, photos of bricks and rubble laying on the ground outside Betty's Burgers in Melbourne, with large sheets of metal hanging off the restaurant awning has been circulating online. (AFP Photo)

At around just under magnitude six this was "the biggest event in south-east Australia for a long time" Mike Sandiford, a geologist at the University of Melbourne told AFP. (AFP Photo)

According to AFP, the mayor of Mansfield, near the quake epicentre, said there was no damage in the small town but it had taken residents by surprise. (AFP Photo)

Prime Minister Scott Morrison, speaking from New York, said there were no initial reports of injuries. However, emergency sevices told AFP that they received calls regarding fires and damages from as far as 700 kms from the epicenter. (AFP Photo)