A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near the coast of Vanuatu on Tuesday, causing significant destruction and reportedly killing at least six people. The powerful quake hit just before 1 p.m. local time, centered 18 miles west of Port Vila, the nation’s capital, at a depth of 35 miles. The earthquake was followed by a magnitude 5.5 aftershock, with tremors continuing into the evening.
Casualties and Immediate Impact
Hospitals in Port Vila began receiving casualties shortly after the quake. Katie Greenwood, head of the International Federation of the Red Cross’ Pacific branch, confirmed at least six deaths and numerous injuries. The city’s main hospital suffered severe damage, forcing doctors to set up a triage center outside the emergency ward. Video footage showed large crowds gathered outside the hospital as medical teams worked tirelessly.
Local journalist Dan McGarry described the situation as dire, noting that the country is not well-equipped to handle a mass casualty event. “Doctors are working as fast as they can,” he said.
Damaged Infrastructure and Buildings
Several buildings in Port Vila collapsed, including a structure housing the U.S., British, French, and New Zealand diplomatic missions. The U.S. Embassy reported that all its staff were safe but announced the building’s closure due to significant structural damage.
Social media footage showed one multi-story building with its ground floor completely flattened while upper floors appeared precariously intact. Michael Thompson, a Vanuatu resident, described seeing bodies and widespread destruction as he walked through the city. “The bottom floor no longer exists,” he said, noting that rescuers were working to free people possibly trapped beneath the rubble.
The earthquake also destroyed two major bridges and caused a massive landslide at the international shipping terminal, which could hinder recovery efforts. Port Vila’s airport reportedly sustained damage, grounding all flights. Australian and Pacific airlines paused Wednesday flights pending updates on the airport’s status.
Tsunami Warning and Emergency Response
A tsunami warning was issued but canceled within two hours. However, Vanuatu’s Geohazards Department remained offline due to power outages, leaving residents without timely updates. Authorities urged people to stay away from the coastline until monitoring systems were fully operational.
Global Support and Regional Concerns
Australia and New Zealand pledged immediate assistance. Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong assured reporters that aid would be provided as needed, while New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed deep concern for the 45 registered New Zealanders in Vanuatu.
Political Context and Historical Precedence
Vanuatu, located on a tectonic subduction zone where the Indo-Australian Plate meets the Pacific Plate, frequently experiences large earthquakes. Despite stringent building codes designed for seismic resilience, this quake was the most severe in over two decades.
The disaster comes amid political instability in Vanuatu, with four prime ministers serving in the past four years. Prime Minister Charlot Salwai recently requested the dissolution of Parliament ahead of a January snap election.
As the full scale of the damage unfolds, Vanuatu faces a long and challenging recovery process amid political and environmental uncertainty.