New Zealand PM unfazed by earthquake during live TV interview

New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern was interrupted during a live TV interview on Monday by an earthquake that struck near the capital Wellington.

Ardern was speaking with Newshub host Ryan Bridge about the country’s coronavirus restrictions as a magnitude 5.6 earthquake hit just before 8 a.m., visibly shaking the camera. There were no reports of major injuries or damage, according to ABC News and CNN.

“We’re just having a bit of an earthquake here, Ryan, quite a decent shake here,” Ardern said from the parliament complex, while looking around. “But, if you see things moving behind me…”

“We’re just having a bit of an earthquake here”: New Zealand Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern barely skipped a beat when a quake struck during a live TV interview. https://t.co/tKLFX9Kn5a pic.twitter.com/n97xbTGaRu

— ABC News (@ABC) May 25, 2020

After confirming the earthquake had stopped, Bridge asked the prime minister if she felt “safe and well” to keep going with the interview. 

“We’re fine, Ryan,” she responded. “I’m not under any hanging lights. I look like I’m in a structurally sound place.”

The earthquake, which was strong enough to halt train services, was reportedly felt by thousands in New Zealand. 

Ardern has been praised for her handling of the coronavirus pandemic. The country has documented 1,504 confirmed cases of COVID-19 and only 21 deaths, according to data from Johns Hopkins University.