A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu on Tuesday, causing significant material and human damage, as well as a brief tsunami warning. Local media report that at least one person died. Telecommunications are cut and according to residents only the Starlink network is functional.
A powerful earthquake struck the Vanuatu archipelago on Tuesday, December 17, collapsing bridges, causing landslides and damaging buildings. There is at least one death, according to ABC. Many injured were taken to hospital near the capital, Port Vila.
The ground floor of the building housing the French and American embassies, inaugurated to the public on July 19, 2024, collapsed under the weight of the upper floors, Michael Thompson, a resident, told AFP after publishing images of the damage on social networks.
Telecommunications are severely affected, only the Starlink network is usable, according to the local population. By early afternoon, Vanuatu government websites were offline following the earthquake and telephone numbers for police and other public agencies were not connected. Currently, the Vanuatu Government website remains offline. The social networks of the national agency for the fight against geohazards and the Prime Minister's office have not been updated.
Residents are sharing videos of the damage on social media.
The earthquake toppled a concrete pillar, cracked a wall and distorted windows in the building, which also houses the diplomatic representations of other countries including New Zealand, again according to images shared on social networks.
M Resort & Spa Vanuatu, uA large hotel complex located not far from the city center also suffered significant damage. The hotel is calling on its guests with reservations between now and the end of January 2025 to contact them via email.
A tweet shared by Disasters Daily shows that the earthquake damaged the “Garage Express” auto repair shop in Vanuatu. Many other businesses were damaged, such as the Tana Plaza pharmacy.
- The United States closes its embassy in Vanuatu after the “considerable damage” caused by the earthquake. According to the US Embassy in Papua New Guinea, the person is safe.
- The Australian High Commission in Port Vila was evacuated during the earthquake. The senator Penny Wong said the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) was closely monitoring the situation in Vanuatu. “We stand ready to support Vanuatu while the extent of the damage is assessed.”she said.
- According to the consul general of Vanuatu in New Caledonia, contacted by NC the 1st, the Armed Forces of New Caledonia are awaiting confirmation, to go and do reconnaissance and lend a hand on site. Same thing for Red Cross volunteers, who are still waiting to know what the needs will be, but they are ready to intervene.
The tsunami warning issued after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake off the coast of Vanuatu in the Pacific was lifted on Tuesday, according to an American warning center. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center ended this alert which followed the earthquake which occurred at 01:47 GMT. The earthquake struck 37 km from the capital, Port Vila. The epicenter of the earthquake was recorded at a depth of 43 kilometers in the sea, just 30 km west of the capital, according to the United States Geological Survey. A tsunami alert was issued and waves were observed.
