A state of emergency was declared in Vanuatu after a powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake shook the Pacific island on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction-especially in the capital city, Port Vila. According to reports, the quake struck at 12:47 p.m. local time at a depth of 57 km (35 miles) off the coast of Efate. A 5.5-magnitude aftershock and several smaller tremors followed.
Early accounts suggest so far that six people may have been killed as bodies strewn on streets of the capital, Port Vila. The buildings were heavily damaged; a landslide took away the connectivity road, whereas the main hospital in the city had faced significant damages; the operation theatre was useless, and three triage tents were placed for temporary treatment. In this matter, the television station of the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation has circulated pictures where cars were seen as crushed.
Caretaker Prime Minister Charlot Salwai declared a seven-day curfew in the worst-affected areas and appealed for international assistance. According to the United Nations, 116,000 people have been affected by the quake, and local authorities continue to assess the damage.
Très fort tremblement de terre au Vanuatu, ambassade détruite (déchirée en 2, rez-de-chaussée ambassade 🇺🇸 écrasée), personnel sain et sauf mais nombreuses victimes dans le pays, vols suspendus, comm coupées, ni eau ni électricité, organisons secours 🇫🇷🇦🇺🇳🇿., num urgence à venir pic.twitter.com/IZjr2VjVGu
— Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer (@jeangene_vilmer) December 17, 2024
French Ambassador Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer stated that he estimated the number of casualties, destruction caused, and communications lines and cut electricity around the capital city of Vanuatu. In the disaster grounds are emergency teams with Australia promising help immediately in which also include dispatching search teams for cities and aid to the injured.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs reported that several diplomatic missions in Port Vila, including those of the US, Britain, France, and New Zealand were badly damaged. However, all US embassy staff members are safe.
The small island nation of Vanuatu is not unfamiliar with earthquakes but the power and extent of this one have pushed it to the limit.
