Vanuatu Earthquake: 14 Dead, Hundreds Injured as Magnitude 7.3 Quake Strikes
At least 14 people have lost their lives, and hundreds are injured after a powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu on Tuesday. The quake caused widespread damage across the island nation, with rescuers working tirelessly to pull survivors from the rubble.
The Devastating Impact
The earthquake hit just before 1 p.m., originating 35 miles deep and about 18 miles west of Port Vila, Vanuatu’s largest city. The tremor triggered a brief tsunami warning, which was canceled within two hours. However, significant aftershocks followed, adding to the destruction.
Katie Greenwood, the head of the Red Cross in the Pacific, confirmed that more than 200 people were injured. Vanuatu’s main hospital sustained damage and the water supply was compromised, creating additional challenges for the recovery process.
Rescue Efforts and Widespread Damage
Rescuers, including civilians and army personnel, searched through the night for people trapped under collapsed buildings. Videos shared on social media showed a three-story structure reduced to rubble. In one harrowing video, a woman was pulled out alive, covered in dust, as teams used basic tools and shovels to search for survivors.
Vanuatu-based journalist Dan McGarry described the chaotic scenes at Vila Central Hospital, where doctors worked in triage centers set up outside the emergency ward. He also reported a massive landslide at the international shipping terminal and damage to Port Vila’s airport runway, which has hindered relief efforts.
International Response
The earthquake caused significant damage to a building housing diplomatic missions, including those of the United States, Britain, France, and New Zealand. While embassies have confirmed the safety of their staff, the U.S. office remains closed until further notice.
Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced the immediate deployment of search-and-rescue teams and emergency medical support. Other international aid efforts are being prepared as road and port access remains severely disrupted.
Why Vanuatu Is Vulnerable
Vanuatu sits in a subduction zone, where the Indo-Australia tectonic plate shifts beneath the Pacific Plate, making it prone to large earthquakes. Although the country’s infrastructure is designed to withstand seismic activity, the magnitude of this quake and its aftershocks have severely tested the region’s capacity to respond to such disasters.
Moving Forward
With communication systems still down and recovery efforts ongoing, authorities have urged residents to stay away from coastlines for at least 24 hours until monitoring systems are restored. Aid and medical assistance remain critical as the island nation begins to recover from the devastating quake.