'Ball of flames falling from sky': Queensland residents report 'meteor' crashing off coast

Residents of Queensland’s central coast are convinced a meteorite has crashed into the ocean overnight, with multiple reports of a bright light in the sky followed by tremors.

Police received several calls from Gladstone residents who reported their houses were shaking around 8:30pm, amid fears of an earthquake.

Many witnesses took to social media to share what they had seen.

“My husband was putting out the garbage bins when he saw the outside of the house light up. He turned around and saw a brilliant meteor or something flash overhead and disappeared over the sea,” Lynette Emerson wrote on Facebook.

“I saw like a ball of flame falling from sky looking south East. I am near Mackay,” Lisa Vassallo said.

“Was sitting at the beach in Boyne Island and saw it all unfold, looked like a big as hell shooting star and lit up the beach then about a minute later a big bang and a shockwave came over the water and shook my car little bit was a pretty awesome experience,” Jacques Reimers added.

The light was reportedly seen by residents as far north as Yeppoon and as far south as Hervey Bay, spanning across a distance of more than 400 kilometres.

GeoScience Australia did not detect an earthquake in the area.

News break – September 27