A 7.3 magnitude earthquake shook the Vanuatu archipelago on December 17, 2024, causing building collapses, landslides and at least one victim. The epicenter was located 30 km from Port Vila, the capital of the island state located in the Pacific Ring of Fire. The tsunami alert has been lifted, while rescue and humanitarian assistance continues.
On December 17, 2024, at 12:47 local time, a violent earthquake of magnitude 7.3 hit the Vanuatu archipelago in the South Pacific. The epicenter was located about 30 kilometers west of the capital, Port Vila, at a depth of 57 kilometers.
Vanuatu is located along the Pacific Ring of Fire, an area characterized by frequent seismic and volcanic activity. The country is made up of around 80 islands and has a population of around 330,000.
The earthquake caused serious damage in Port Vila, with collapsed buildings, deformed roads and landslides. In particular, the building that housed the embassies of the United States, France and New Zealand suffered a partial collapse, leading to the evacuation of diplomatic staff.
Local authorities have reported at least one victim and numerous injuries, while rescuers continue search operations in the rubble. The central hospital in Port Vila is under pressure due to the influx of injured people.
A tsunami warning was initially issued, but later lifted. However, small changes in sea level have been observed along the coasts.
Communication links with some areas of the archipelago are interrupted, complicating the complete assessment of the damage. Australia and New Zealand have expressed solidarity and willingness to provide humanitarian assistance.
Vanuatu, located on a subduction zone, is subject to frequent earthquakes. This event highlights the vulnerability of the archipelago and the importance of effective preparedness and response measures to mitigate the impact of such natural disasters.
