At least 14 dead, many injured after Vanuatu struck by 7.3-magnitude earthquake

A journalist based in Vanuatu told the BBC he believed the quake was the most powerful "in more than 20 years" and that he expected the death toll to rise.

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Dec. 17 (UPI) -- At least 14 people are dead after a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the main island of Vanuatu in the South Pacific on Tuesday, triggering landslides, collapsing buildings and cutting power and communications.

A journalist based in the capital, Port Vila, told the BBC he had witnessed "several people who were visibly, seriously injured" at a triage station outside the emergency room of the Vila Central Hospital and that police had confirmed one fatality.

The reporter, Dan McGarry, said he believed the quake was the most powerful "in more than 20 years" and that he expected the death toll to rise.

"Emergency services are going to be busy for a while. We have limited equipment and capabilities here [in Vanuatu]," he said.

Footage circulating on social media showed many injured people on stretchers awaiting treatment outside a hospital with more arriving on the back of flatbed trucks, or being carried by other people, and rescue workers attempting to access collapsed buildings and vehicles crushed beneath buildings.

The diplomatic quarter of Port Vila on Efate island was badly affected with the U.S. Embassy there reporting in a post on X that its complex "sustained considerable damage" but that staff were able to evacuate and all personnel were "safe and accounted for."

However, the damage forced the closure of the embassy until further notice.

"Authorities are reporting an earthquake in Vanuatu, 23 miles from Port Vila at 12:53 p.m. local time and subsequent aftershocks," it said in a news release issued via the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby in Papua New Guinea, 1,400 miles away.

"The U.S. Embassy is hearing reports that flights to and from Vanuatu are canceled. There are also reports of landslides in the Port Vila area. People are advised to avoid entering buildings as they may be damaged or unstable."

U.S. citizens needing consular assistance were told to contact the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby.

The United States pledged to do all it could to help Vanuatu.

"Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this earthquake, and the U.S. government will work closely with our partners in Vanuatu. We stand ready to assist the government of Vanuatu if requested."

Buildings housing the British High Commission, the French Embassy and the New Zealand High Commission also sustained serious damage.

Australia also offered assistance with Foreign Minister Penny Wong calling the quake "devastating."

"We are closely monitoring the situation in Vanuatu following this afternoon's devastating earthquake. We stand ready to support Vanuatu, as the extent of the damage is assessed. Vanuatu is family and we will always be there in times of need," she said in a post on X.

Qantas subsidiary Jetstar Airways said it had canceled its daily Sydney to Port Vila flight.

"Due to earthquake activity in Vanuatu and reports of possible damage to Port Vila Airport infrastructure, our return flight between Sydney and Port Vila will not operate on Wednesday Dec. 18, 2024," the budget carrier said in a travel alert.

The U.S. Geological Survey confirmed Tuesday's quake was 7.3 magnitude with its epicenter located 18 miles west of Port Vila at a depth of 35.5 miles.

The South Pacific archipelago was struck by a 7.0-magnitude earthquake centered 15 miles from Port Olry on the largest island, Vanuatu, in January 2023, triggering tsunami warnings in nearby waters, but no reports of damage or casualties were reported.

Vanuatu, with a population of 280,000 spread across 80 islands, is highly prone to earthquakes located as is it is on the so-called Ring of Fire, the arc of tectonic faults that encircles most of the Pacific Ocean where seismic activity and volcanic eruptions occur on a daily basis.

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