A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck the small South Pacific nation of Vanuatu today, sending tremors through the country’s capital, Port Vila, and leaving devastation in its wake.
The quake, which hit at 12:47 local time (December 17), caused significant structural damage, landslides, and widespread power and communication outages.
Officials have so far confirmed at least one fatality, though the death toll is expected to rise as rescue operations continue.
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The earthquake’s impact was felt most prominently in Port Vila, where buildings crumbled under the force of the tremor.
Among the affected structures was a complex housing embassies for the UK, US, France, and the New Zealand High Commission, which was reportedly flattened.
Footage taken from a mechanic’s workshop during the quake shows the chaos as workers struggled to stay on their feet, vehicles shifted uncontrollably, and car parts tumbled to the floor.
Dan McGarry, a journalist based in Port Vila, described the experience as the most intense quake he’s witnessed in over two decades.
Outside the city’s hospital, he observed multiple people with severe injuries, noting the overwhelming challenge emergency responders now face.
“Emergency services are going to be busy for a while,” McGarry said.
“We have limited equipment and capabilities here.”
Michael Thompson, who runs the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline company, recounted scenes of destruction throughout the city.
“There are multiple buildings that have come down around town,” he said.
“There’s a big rescue operation underway to clear out people who are possibly alive.”
Despite the dire circumstances, Thompson highlighted the country’s resilience in the face of recurring natural disasters.
“People in Vanuatu deal with this on a yearly basis, it’s in our blood.
We’ll get through this as well, although not without some suffering.”
His wife, Amanda, described the terrifying moment when their home was rocked by the quake.
“I thought the ceiling was going to come right down,” she said.
“We often have earthquakes here but not like this.
The house has giant cracks all through it, and the sliding glass doors are smashed.”
The US Geological Survey reported that the earthquake struck at a shallow depth of just 6.2 miles, amplifying its destructive force.
In the immediate aftermath, at least four aftershocks, ranging in magnitude from 4.7 to 5.5, rattled the region.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed that tsunami waves had been observed and issued forecasts for affected coastlines, though authorities in Australia and New Zealand assured their populations that there was no threat to their shores.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong expressed solidarity with Vanuatu, saying: “Vanuatu is family, and we will always be there in times of need.”
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters echoed similar sentiments, extending support to the island nation and its authorities.
Home to approximately 336,000 people, Vanuatu is an archipelago of over 80 islands situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region notorious for its seismic activity.
Its location makes it particularly vulnerable to earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and tsunamis, with today’s disaster serving as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by communities living in such volatile environments.
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SOURCE: Mechanic’s workshop SHAKES in 7.3-magnitude earthquake as tremors flatten buildings
