Vanuatu Earthquake Kills 14, Injures Hundreds, Causes Destruction

Vanuatu Earthquake Kills 14, Injures Hundreds, Causes Destruction \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near Port Vila, Vanuatu, killing at least 14 people and injuring hundreds. Rescue teams worked overnight to reach survivors trapped under rubble, while infrastructure damage has severely hampered recovery efforts. The government declared a state of emergency and grounded flights as international aid begins arriving.

Vanuatu Earthquake: Destruction, Rescue Efforts, and Global Response Quick Looks

• Earthquake Impact: A 7.3 magnitude quake killed at least 14 and injured over 200 in Vanuatu’s capital region.
• Rescue Operations: Survivors are still being pulled from collapsed buildings, including two women and a child.
• Infrastructure Damage: Telecommunications, power, and water remain down; the airport and shipping port are damaged.
• Diplomatic Damage: Embassies of the U.S., Britain, France, and New Zealand were severely impacted but reported safe staff.
• Emergency Measures: A state of emergency and a curfew were imposed in worst-hit areas to aid recovery efforts.
• Global Aid: Australia, New Zealand, and France are mobilizing search and rescue teams, medical aid, and assessment missions.

Deep Look

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu early Tuesday afternoon, leaving behind devastation in its wake. At least 14 people have been confirmed dead, hundreds are injured, and ongoing rescue operations aim to locate survivors trapped under the rubble. The quake caused widespread damage to buildings, infrastructure, and diplomatic missions across the South Pacific island nation, while disrupted communication systems are complicating relief efforts.

The Earthquake: Details and Immediate Impact

The earthquake, measuring 7.3 in magnitude, occurred at a depth of 57 kilometers (35 miles) and was centered just 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Port Vila, the largest city in Vanuatu. The tremor was followed by a series of significant aftershocks, adding to the chaos.

While an initial tsunami warning was issued, it was called off within two hours. However, residents were advised to stay clear of coastlines for at least 24 hours as monitoring systems were restored.

Frantic Rescue Efforts Through the Night

Rescue teams worked tirelessly through the night to locate survivors amid collapsed buildings and rubble. In videos circulating on social media, rescuers—both civilians and army personnel—are seen pulling people from destroyed structures, including a three-story building in a bustling downtown area that collapsed during lunchtime.

Michael Thompson, a local volunteer, shared harrowing footage of a dust-covered woman being rescued, writing that three survivors were pulled out overnight. His wife, Amanda Laithwaite, described hearing voices calling for help from inside the rubble, with progress slowed by the extent of the destruction.

A garage owner and rescue volunteer, Stéphane Rivier, estimated that 20 people had died, with 50 still missing.

“We got out two survivors and three dead. There are still three people alive in the rubble,” Rivier told the Associated Press.

The Vanuatu Red Cross confirmed reports of two women and a child still trapped under the debris, while others remain stuck in a building near the Port Vila airport.

Damage to Key Infrastructure and Embassies

The quake severely impacted telecommunications, cutting off much of Vanuatu from the outside world. Power outages have left homes and hospitals in darkness, and water services remain down. The Vanuatu National Hospital in Port Vila, already stretched thin, is struggling to cope with the flood of injured patients.

Diplomatic buildings housing the embassies of the United States, Britain, France, and New Zealand were also heavily damaged. Reports indicate sections of the building collapsed onto lower floors, windows were shattered, and walls crumbled.

• The U.S. Embassy confirmed that all staff are safe but announced the building will remain closed until further notice.
• New Zealand and Australia both accounted for their diplomatic personnel and confirmed their safety.

Government Response and Emergency Measures

Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai declared a state of emergency and announced a 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. curfew in the hardest-hit regions to assist recovery efforts.

“Essential services will operate, and efforts will focus on restoring water and telecommunications,” Salwai told the national broadcaster.

Salwai urged residents to cooperate with authorities and remain vigilant as aftershocks continue to rattle the region.

Global Aid Efforts Underway

The international community has mobilized quickly to support Vanuatu:

• Australia is deploying two Air Force transport planes carrying medical teams and search-and-rescue personnel to aid in relief operations, according to Defense Minister Richard Marles.
• New Zealand dispatched a military surveillance plane to assess the damage. Foreign Minister Winston Peters said additional aid and equipment will follow once the airport is operational again.
• France announced that its military forces are preparing to assist with humanitarian and recovery efforts.

“With communications still badly affected, it is going to take time to determine what assistance Vanuatu needs,” Peters added.

The Economic Toll

Recovery efforts face additional challenges due to severe damage to key transportation hubs:

• The international airport sustained structural damage, grounding all flights.
• A massive landslide at the international shipping terminal has further disrupted recovery in a country heavily dependent on agriculture and tourism.

Several airlines across Australia and the Pacific have canceled flights until further notice, awaiting assessments of the airport’s safety.

Why Vanuatu is Prone to Earthquakes

Vanuatu lies on the “Ring of Fire”, where the Indo-Australian tectonic plate moves beneath the Pacific Plate, making earthquakes greater than magnitude 6 relatively common. The island nation’s building codes are designed to withstand quake damage, but the scale of this earthquake overwhelmed many structures, causing significant destruction.

Conclusion: A Long Road to Recovery

The magnitude 7.3 earthquake has left Vanuatu reeling, with lives lost, homes destroyed, and infrastructure severely damaged. As rescue operations continue, the focus remains on saving survivors, restoring essential services, and rebuilding critical infrastructure. International aid from Australia, New Zealand, and France is beginning to arrive, but full recovery will take time.

For Vanuatu’s resilient people, this disaster underscores both the strength of their communities and the urgent need for support in the aftermath of natural catastrophes.

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