The 1989 Newcastle earthquake was an intraplate earthquake that occurred in Newcastle, New South Wales on Thursday 28 December. The shock measured 5.6 on the Richter magnitude scale and was one of Australia's most serious natural disasters, killing 13 people and injuring more than 160. The damage bill has been estimated at A$4 billion (or $ billion in , adjusted for inflation), including an insured loss of about $1 billion (or $ billion in , adjusted for inflation). The effects were felt over an area of around in the state of New South Wales, with isolated reports of movement in areas up to from Newcastle. Damage to buildings and facilities was reported over an area of . Death toll and damage to buildings The highest death toll and damage occurred at the Newcastle Workers Club, where the floor collapsed. Nine people were killed and many more were trapped beneath the rubble. Another three people were crushed to death when masonry from building façades collapsed onto awnings on Beaumont Street, Hamilton, an inner-city suburb of Newcastle. Following the death of a woman in Broadmeadow from earthquake-related shock, the final death toll was raised to 13. The earthquake caused damage to over 35,000 homes, 147 schools, and 3,000 commercial and/or other buildings, with significant damage (i.e. damage worth over $1,000; $ in adjusted for inflation) caused to 10,000 homes and 42 schools (structural damage), within the immediate Newcastle area. The number of people in the city on the day of the earthquake was lower than usual, due to a strike by local bus drivers. The earthquake struck in the middle of an interview by a local television station NBN with a union representative. Statistics Deaths: 13 total, including; 9 people who were killed at the Newcastle Workers Club 3 people who were killed in Beaumont Street, Hamilton 1 person who died of earthquake-induced shock The names of all 13 victims were published later in newspapers such as the Maitland Mercury Injuries: 160 people were hospitalised. Damaged buildings: 50,000 buildings were damaged; about 80 percent of these were homes. Demolition: 300 buildings were demolished including more than 100 homes, The Newcastle Workers Club, The Century Theatre, and King's Hall. Human effects: 300,000 people were affected and 1,000 made homeless. Cost: The total financial cost of the earthquake is estimated to have amounted to about $4 billion. Felt area: Estimated around the epicentre. Magnitude: