Rescue teams are mobilizing in Port Vila as reports of casualties and infrastructural damage emerge after a significant quake.
Devastating 7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu's Port Vila
Devastating 7.3 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu's Port Vila
A major earthquake has caused extensive damage and injuries in the Vanuatu capital, sparking a rescue effort.
The tranquility of Port Vila, Vanuatu's capital, was shattered today at precisely 12:47 local time (01:47 GMT) when a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck with a depth measured at 57.1km, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). The quake prompted a temporary tsunami alert for parts of this Pacific island nation, although officials confirmed the threat had subsided by 14:14 local time. Initial reports suggest at least one fatality, with unverified accounts indicating potential further casualties. Dan McGarry, a journalist based in Port Vila, reported a devastating scene as police at Vila Central Hospital relayed the news of a confirmed death and indicated that multiple seriously injured individuals awaited urgent medical attention.
Eyewitness accounts and social media footage unveiled widespread chaos, showcasing collapsed structures, vehicles crushed by fallen debris, and homes left in disarray. Communication systems appear to be significantly disrupted, leaving many residents in distress. Among the damaged infrastructure is the US embassy in Port Vila, which the embassy stated has suffered "considerable damage" and will remain closed indefinitely. A formal statement from the US government expressed solidarity with those affected and outlined plans for a coordinated response.
Michael Thompson, a local business owner, described the dire scenario unfolding in the streets, claiming to have seen multiple unresponsive bodies and highlighting the scale of rescue operations ongoing in the city. Reports from the USGS indicated four aftershocks rattled the region shortly after the main quake, with magnitudes between 4.7 and 5.5. Reassuringly, New Zealand and Australia declared there was no tsunami threat to their territories, while Australia expressed readiness to assist Vanuatu as assessments of the damage continue. The Foreign Minister of Australia emphasized Vanuatu's importance as a regional ally and committed support in these challenging times.
Vanuatu, consisting of around 80 islands, is located in a region characterized by frequent seismic activity, making it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Eyewitness accounts and social media footage unveiled widespread chaos, showcasing collapsed structures, vehicles crushed by fallen debris, and homes left in disarray. Communication systems appear to be significantly disrupted, leaving many residents in distress. Among the damaged infrastructure is the US embassy in Port Vila, which the embassy stated has suffered "considerable damage" and will remain closed indefinitely. A formal statement from the US government expressed solidarity with those affected and outlined plans for a coordinated response.
Michael Thompson, a local business owner, described the dire scenario unfolding in the streets, claiming to have seen multiple unresponsive bodies and highlighting the scale of rescue operations ongoing in the city. Reports from the USGS indicated four aftershocks rattled the region shortly after the main quake, with magnitudes between 4.7 and 5.5. Reassuringly, New Zealand and Australia declared there was no tsunami threat to their territories, while Australia expressed readiness to assist Vanuatu as assessments of the damage continue. The Foreign Minister of Australia emphasized Vanuatu's importance as a regional ally and committed support in these challenging times.
Vanuatu, consisting of around 80 islands, is located in a region characterized by frequent seismic activity, making it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes and other natural disasters.
