Powerful Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu, Leaving Devastation in Its Wake

A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck near Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, wreaking havoc across the region. The tremor triggered landslides, crushed vehicles, and flattened numerous buildings, including a complex housing several Western embassies.

While unconfirmed reports suggest fatalities, the full extent of the destruction remains uncertain as power and mobile networks have been disrupted throughout the country. Dan McGarry, a journalist based in Port Vila, reported that hospital authorities indicated at least one death, with multiple individuals visibly injured outside the emergency unit.

Vanuatu is no stranger to seismic activity, but McGarry noted that this earthquake felt unprecedented in over two decades. The quake struck at 12:47 PM local time on Tuesday.

“Emergency services are going to be busy for a while,” McGarry stated, highlighting the limited resources available. He noted that police at the Vila Central Hospital confirmed one death, with expectations that the toll could rise.

Footage from state broadcaster VBTC revealed a chaotic scene outside Vila Central Hospital, where dozens awaited treatment, many on gurneys. Michael Thompson, director of Vanuatu Jungle Zipline, shared with AFP that he had seen bodies in the streets, emphasizing the scale of the destruction.

“Multiple buildings have collapsed around town. A major rescue operation is underway to reach those potentially trapped,” Thompson explained in a video posted on social media.

Thompson’s wife, Amanda, recounted their terrifying experience, stating, “I thought the ceiling was going to come right down. We often have earthquakes here, but not like this. Our house has giant cracks, and sliding glass doors are shattered.”

Despite the devastation, McGarry expressed hope for the resilient people of Vanuatu. “We deal with natural disasters on a yearly basis. It’s in our blood. We’ll get through this, though not without some suffering,” he remarked.

Vanuatu, an archipelago of around 80 islands in the South Pacific, sits in a seismically active zone, making it susceptible to frequent earthquakes and other natural disasters. The complex housing the U.S. Embassy, British High Commission, French Embassy, and New Zealand High Commission suffered considerable damage and will remain closed until further notice, although all staff evacuated safely.

In the aftermath, several Australian airlines have canceled flights to Port Vila due to damage at the airport. Jetstar, a subsidiary of Qantas, announced the cancellation of a flight scheduled for Wednesday morning from Sydney, citing “earthquake activity in Vanuatu and reports of possible damage to Port Vila airport infrastructure.”