Senior police official admits he feared terrorism when earthquake struck

One of Victoria’s most senior police officers admits he feared a terrorist attack when Melbourne began shaking on Wednesday morning.

A 5.8 magnitude tremor shook Melbourne just after 9am.

It’s led to significant property damage, but there have been no reports of death or injury.

Given the unrest on the streets of Melbourne in recent days, Deputy Commissioner Rick Nugent told 3AW he initially feared the shaking was the result of an explosion.

“We have that new Victoria Police building on Spencer Street, I’m on the 37th floor, so it’s up rather high, but it really did move,” he said.

“I just wondered … what now? After what we’ve endured in this great city.”

Press PLAY below to hear Rick Nugent on 3AW

Picture: Getty iStock