A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila, causing widespread damage and destruction. The quake hit at 12:47 local time, with a depth of 10 km, according to the United States Geological Survey.
The earthquake briefly triggered a tsunami alert for parts of the Pacific island nation, but officials later confirmed that the threat had passed. The number of casualties is currently unknown.
Footage on social media shows the devastating impact of the quake, with collapsed buildings, cars hit by fallen panels, and furniture strewn on floors inside homes. The US embassy in Port Vila is among the damaged buildings.
Michael Thompson, director of the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline adventure company, reported that communications in the area had been severely disrupted. He set up a Starlink network near his home to provide internet access to the public.
The USGS reported at least four aftershocks around Port Vila, with magnitudes ranging from 4.7 to 5.5. Authorities in neighboring New Zealand and Australia confirmed no tsunami threat for their countries.
Rescue teams are working to assess the damage and aid those affected. The Vanuatu government has declared a state of emergency and is working to restore essential services.
The international community is also responding to the disaster, with offers of aid and support pouring in from around the world. The full extent of the damage is still unknown, but the people of Vanuatu will need significant support in the coming days and weeks.
The Vanuatu earthquake strikes have caused widespread destruction and chaos, with the full extent of the damage still unknown. Relief efforts are expected to continue in the coming weeks as the island nation works to recover from the disaster.
