By Le Figaro with AFP
Published
December 19 at 5:53 a.m.,
updated December 19 at 6:36 a.m.
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The earthquake, measuring 7.3, occurred Tuesday afternoon off the main island of the archipelago, where Port Vila is located, causing significant material damage.
A Frenchman living in Vanuatu died in the capital Port-Vila, in the powerful earthquake which struck this Pacific archipelago on Tuesday, French Ambassador Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer said on Thursday, December 19. “Confirmation of the death of our compatriot (…) under the rubble of a collapsed building in the city center”wrote the French ambassador to Vanuatu and the Solomon Islands, in a message on the X platform presenting his condolences to the family. The man was a resident of Vanuatu, the diplomat said.
The earthquake, measuring 7.3, occurred on Tuesday at 12:47 local time (01:47 GMT) off the main island of the archipelago, where Port Vila is located, causing significant material damage. Authorities have reported nine deaths due to the earthquake, but fear the toll will rise while rescuers are still searching for survivors. Two of the deceased were Chinese nationals, Beijing’s ambassador to Vanuatu reported on Chinese television on Wednesday.
