A strong earthquake struck the Pacific island of Vanuatu, causing significant damage in the capital of Port Vila. Buildings, including one housing foreign embassies, were severely affected by the 7.3-magnitude quake. Reports indicated that there were casualties, with bodies seen on the streets. The quake, which occurred at a depth of 57 kilometers, resulted in the collapse of buildings, bridges, and other structures in the area.
Residents described the devastation, mentioning that the ground floor of a building housing diplomatic missions had been completely flattened. Rescue efforts were underway, with a focus on medical evacuation and skilled personnel to assist in the aftermath of the disaster. Mobile networks were disrupted, adding to the challenges faced by the affected population.
Despite a tsunami warning initially issued, it was later lifted, although some areas were still expected to experience waves. Vanuatu is no stranger to earthquakes due to its location on the seismic Ring of Fire. The country is prone to various natural disasters, as highlighted in the World Risk Report.
The footage captured post-earthquake depicted the chaos and destruction in Port Vila, with emergency responders working to address the immediate aftermath of the disaster. The situation in Vanuatu remained precarious, requiring both local and potential international support in the ongoing rescue and recovery efforts.