A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu on Tuesday, leaving at least 14 dead and hundreds injured while causing widespread destruction in the South Pacific island nation. Rescue teams worked tirelessly overnight to reach survivors trapped under collapsed structures as communication challenges hampered response efforts.
The Red Cross reported early Wednesday that casualty figures were obtained from government officials, though extensive damage to communication lines and infrastructure has delayed official updates. Phone services in the affected areas remain inactive.
The earthquake struck just before 1 p.m. local time at a depth of 57 kilometers (35 miles), about 30 kilometers westof Port Vila, Vanuatu’s largest city. Though a tsunami warning was issued, it was lifted within two hours. However, the region experienced significant aftershocks following the quake.
Katie Greenwood, head of the Red Cross Pacific office based in Fiji, reported via social media that more than 200 people sustained injuries. She added that Vanuatu’s main hospital has been damaged, and water supplies have been disrupted, further complicating rescue and relief efforts.
The United Nations expressed concerns about accessibility issues, noting that damage to key roads may restrict aid deliveries to the airport and seaport, both vital for relief efforts. Residents have been urged to avoid coastal areas for at least 24 hours until tsunami and earthquake monitoring systems are fully restored.
Video footage circulating on social media depicted frantic rescue operations, including a three-story building that collapsed onto its lower levels. Amanda Laithwaite, whose husband Michael Thompson participated in the rescues, described efforts to free eight trapped individuals whose voices were heard under the rubble. Michael later reported on Facebook that three survivors were successfully rescued overnight, sharing a video of a dust-covered woman being pulled from the wreckage. Civilians and military personnel relied on basic tools and shovels to assist in the rescue.
Journalist Dan McGarry, based in Vanuatu, emphasized the nation’s limited resources to handle a large-scale disaster. At Vila Central Hospital, overwhelmed medical teams established a triage center outside the emergency ward, where they treated scores of injured people. Footage from the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation illustrated scenes of chaos outside the hospital.
The earthquake also disrupted diplomatic operations. A building housing embassies of the United States, Britain, France, and New Zealand sustained significant damage. While the U.S. Embassy confirmed the safety of all staff, the building remains closed. The facility, opened in July 2023, was part of a U.S. initiative to strengthen its presence in the Pacific amidst China’s expanding influence in the region.
New Zealand’s foreign ministry confirmed that all but two embassy staff members had been accounted for, while Australia verified the safety of its personnel.
Flights in and out of Vanuatu have been severely disrupted. McGarry noted that a landslide near the international shipping terminal and damage to the airport runway may complicate recovery efforts. Several airlines across Australia and the Pacific have canceled or postponed flights scheduled for Wednesday pending further updates.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced that Australia is preparing to send immediate assistance, including urban search and rescue teams and emergency medical support.
Vanuatu, which lies on a tectonic subduction zone where the Indo-Australian Plate is pushed beneath the Pacific Plate, frequently experiences earthquakes exceeding magnitude 6. While the country’s infrastructure is designed to endure seismic activity, Tuesday’s quake has highlighted the vulnerability of its resources and response systems.
