PORT VILA:Â A massive 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu on Tuesday, leaving 14 dead and hundreds injured. The quake severely damaged buildings and infrastructure across the Pacific island nation, including the U.S. embassy.
The earthquake hit 30 kilometers west of Port Vila, Vanuatu’s capital, at a depth of 57.1 kilometers, as per USGS. It was followed by a 5.5-magnitude aftershock and 14 others exceeding 4.0 magnitude throughout the day.
Initial reports reveal severe destruction, with collapsed buildings crushing vehicles and trapping some people under debris. Landslides near Port Vila’s international shipping terminal disrupted access, worsening the crisis.
Katie Greenwood of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported at least 14 fatalities and 200 injuries. She said these numbers could rise as communications remain unreliable.
China confirmed two of its citizens among the dead. Efforts to locate survivors and provide aid are underway amid widespread devastation.
The quake caused significant damage in downtown Port Vila and affected provincial regions, crippling infrastructure and leaving many homeless. Greenwood called it the worst earthquake damage she has witnessed in the Pacific.
Volunteers from the Red Cross have mobilized to assist the affected, with resources directed toward rescue and recovery operations.
Vanuatu, a country of 330,000 people across 80 islands, is accustomed to natural disasters but is shaken by the earthquake’s scale. Greenwood described the mood on the ground as somber, with grief and shock prevailing in affected communities.
This disaster underscores the challenges faced by nations prone to natural calamities like earthquakes and cyclones. Officials are prioritizing restoring communication networks and ensuring medical care for the injured.
The seismic event has drawn attention to Vanuatu’s vulnerabilities and the importance of strengthening resilience in disaster-hit areas. Global assistance may become necessary as recovery efforts progress.
For updates on relief efforts and news, continue following official updates from local authorities and humanitarian organizations.
