A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck near Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, causing landslides, crushing cars, and collapsing several buildings, including a complex housing multiple Western embassies.
The quake has cut off power and mobile networks across the country, with the full extent of the damage still unknown. There are unconfirmed reports of at least one fatality.
Dan McGarry, a journalist based in Port Vila, witnessed “several people who were visibly, seriously injured” outside the emergency department of the hospital. While Vanuatu is no stranger to earthquakes, McGarry described this one, which occurred at 12:47 local time (01:47 GMT), as possibly the largest in more than 20 years. “Emergency services will be busy for a while. We have limited equipment and capabilities here,” he said. He also reported that hospital staff had informed him of one confirmed death, with expectations that the toll could rise.
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A video shared by Vanuatu’s state broadcaster, VBTC, showed dozens of people outside Vila Central Hospital, many lying on gurneys awaiting treatment.
Michael Thompson, director of Vanuatu Jungle Zipline, told AFP that he had seen bodies on the streets. “Multiple buildings have collapsed across the town. A major rescue operation is underway to extract survivors from the rubble,” he said in a video posted on Facebook.
Thompson’s wife, Amanda, shared her experience with the BBC, saying, “I thought the ceiling was going to come down. We’ve had earthquakes before, but nothing like this. There are huge cracks in the house, and the sliding glass doors are shattered. We keep running outside for safety with every aftershock.”
Despite the destruction, McGarry expressed confidence that Vanuatu’s people would overcome the crisis. “Vanuatu deals with natural disasters regularly. It’s in our blood. We’ll get through this, though not without hardship,” he said.
Vanuatu, an archipelago of about 80 islands in the South Pacific, lies west of Fiji and thousands of kilometers east of northern Australia. Situated in a seismically active region, the nation frequently faces large earthquakes and other natural disasters.
Western embassies were among the buildings damaged, with the United States Embassy, the United Kingdom Embassy, the French Embassy, and the New Zealand High Commission all located in the same complex.
US officials confirmed the building had sustained “significant damage” and would remain closed until further notice. All personnel were safely evacuated, they reported. The United States Geological Survey noted at least four aftershocks near Port Vila, with magnitudes ranging from 4.7 to 5.5, occurring within two hours of the initial earthquake, which struck at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).
Authorities in neighboring New Zealand and Australia have stated there is no tsunami threat to their countries.
Australia also expressed its readiness to assist Vanuatu as damage assessments are carried out. “Vanuatu is family, and we will always be there in times of need,” said Foreign Minister Penny Wong on X.
New Zealand expressed its “deep concern” and is closely monitoring the situation. “Our thoughts are with the people and authorities of Vanuatu,” said Foreign Minister Winston Peters.
