7.3 magnitude earthquake hits Vanuatu, causing severe damage and casualties

Vanuatu shaken by 7.3 magnitude earthquake, fatalities reported and infrastructure damaged.

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A powerful earthquake with a magnitude of 7.3 struck near Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila, on Tuesday, causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure.

The earthquake briefly triggered a tsunami alert for parts of Vanuatu, but officials confirmed by 14:14 local time that the threat had passed.

Photo credits: Sarah Dean from Facebook

The extent of the damage remains unclear, but there are unconfirmed reports of at least one fatality.

Dan McGarry, a journalist based in Port Vila, reported that police at the Vila Central Hospital confirmed one death and three people seriously injured.

Photo credits: Sarah Dean from Facebook

McGarry described the earthquake as the most powerful he had experienced in over 20 years.

Social media footage shows widespread damage, including collapsed buildings, cars hit by falling debris, and furniture scattered inside homes.

Residents also reported intermittent communications, complicating efforts to assess the full impact of the disaster.

The US Embassy in Port Vila was among the damaged buildings. Officials stated that the embassy sustained considerable damage and will remain closed until further notice. The embassy in Papua New Guinea expressed its condolences, offering support to Vanuatu.

Michael Thompson, director of the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline adventure company, reported seeing bodies in the streets and multiple collapsed buildings. He noted that rescue operations were underway to free potential survivors trapped in the rubble.

USGS recorded several aftershocks in the two hours following the main quake, with magnitudes ranging from 4.7 to 5.5.

It added that the aftershock tremors were at a depth of 10 km (6.2 miles).

Authorities in neighboring New Zealand and Australia confirmed that no tsunami threat existed for their countries.

Australia expressed its readiness to assist Vanuatu as the damage assessment continues, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong stating, “Vanuatu is family, and we will always be there in times of need.”

Vanuatu, an archipelago of about 80 islands, is located in a seismically active zone and frequently experiences large earthquakes and other natural disasters.