On December 17, an earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter scale hit the Vanuatu archipelago, causing serious damage and, according to a witness, even some victims.
The epicenter of the earthquake was located in the sea, just thirty kilometers west of the capital Port Vila and at 43 kilometers deep, according to the United States geological survey (USGS). A tsunami warning was issued, then lifted.
“The internet and telephone connections are down,” said Michael Thompson, a resident who contacted AFP by satellite phone.
Thompson said he saw lifeless bodies in the capital, as well as collapsed bridges and landslides.
“The French embassy has been destroyed, but the staff are unharmed,” the ambassador said in a message on the X social network.
“The US embassy has suffered considerable damage and will remain closed until further notice,” the US diplomatic mission in Papua New Guinea said.
“We are closely monitoring the situation in Vanuatu and stand ready to provide support,” Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a statement.
According to Behzad Fatahi, an expert at the University of Technology Sydney, residents will have to be careful of aftershocks, which could be devastating.
Port Vila airport was closed, and airlines Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Airways and Fiji Airways canceled flights to Vanuatu.
Vanuatu is an archipelago with 320 thousand inhabitants located along the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire, an area characterized by frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
It is considered one of the most vulnerable countries to natural disasters, especially earthquakes, tsunamis, storms and floods.
