VANUATU CAPITAL HIT BY A 7.3 MAGNITUDE EARTHQUAKE

An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila at a depth of 10km today, Tuesday 17th December 2024, this is according to the US Geological Survey (USGS).

According to the earthquake caused bridges to collapse, triggered landslides and severely damaged buildings, plus communication lines were also cut off.

ABC News reported a local journalist had confirmed with police at least one person is dead because of the earthquake.

The ground floor of a building housing the US, French, UK and New Zealand embassies had been crushed under higher floors; resident Michael Thompson told AFP by satellite phone after posting images of the destruction on social media. Footage posted on social media showed the building had buckled windows and collapsed concrete pillars.

The earthquake was described as a “violent, high frequency shake” by local journalist Dan Mc Garry, who also stated that sirens were heard all around the capital.

Following the earthquake, the US Tsunami Warning System issued a warning, which it later cancelled. There was no tsunami threats reported in New Zealand and Australia as well.

Director of the NZ National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) John Price said if there are aftershocks, the tsunami threat would be re-assessed.

“We also have our dart buoy network that will trigger if there is any activity at sea, which would indicate a possible tsunami wave.”

“There is no indication that there will be any land threat, that means any threat of tsunami hitting New Zealand land.”

He also added that marine and beach areas were still being assessed for unusual currents.

At this moment also, the Red Cross deputy head of delegation for the Pacific, Finau Leveni, said that there were between 20 and 30 staff on the ground in Vanuatu, as well as volunteers, thus re-establishing of communications was essential to know the scale of damage.

Sadly, it has reported that in addition to all damages caused by the earthquake, Vanuatu will also face an economic loss between 1 and 10 percent of GDP.