A magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit just off the coast of Vanuatu, resulting in significant damage across the South Pacific island nation. The quake occurred near Port Vila, the largest city in Vanuatu, with a depth of 57 kilometers. An aftershock of magnitude 5.5 followed, prolonging the tremors throughout the day.
Communication lines and government websites remained down, hindering the flow of official information. The Geohazards Department reported that monitoring systems were offline due to power outages. Residents were advised to stay away from coastlines until monitoring systems were operational.
Reports of casualties began to emerge, with witness accounts indicating widespread destruction. Outside Vila Central Hospital, crowds gathered as injured individuals arrived for treatment. One death was confirmed by a police officer, and medical staff worked tirelessly at a triage center.
Structural damage was evident in Port Vila, with buildings collapsing and debris littering the streets. Diplomatic missions, including those of the United States, Britain, France, and New Zealand, reported significant damage to their premises. However, embassy staff were reported safe.
The U.S. Embassy and Australia's foreign ministry assured the safety of their personnel. The airport and international shipping terminal sustained damage, impacting recovery efforts. All flights were grounded, with airlines canceling or pausing scheduled services.
Australia and New Zealand pledged support for Vanuatu, expressing deep concern for the situation. Vanuatu, accustomed to natural disasters, faces challenges due to its geographical location on a tectonic plate boundary.
Despite the country's resilience, the recent earthquake poses a significant test for Vanuatu's infrastructure and emergency response capabilities.
