WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The capital city of Vanuatu faced a significant water crisis on Wednesday following a devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the South Pacific nation, resulting in severe destruction and loss of life. With reports indicating a rising death toll, the government’s disaster management office confirmed 14 fatalities, though this was later adjusted to nine confirmed victims by local hospitals. Officials are anticipating that the death count may increase as search and rescue efforts continue for individuals trapped beneath collapsed structures.
Among those reported deceased were two Chinese citizens, confirmed by an official from the Chinese embassy in Vanuatu. Rescue operations are still ongoing, with teams working tirelessly under challenging conditions to locate survivors hidden in the rubble of various buildings in Port Vila, the nation’s largest city. Reports indicate that around 200 individuals received treatment for injuries caused by the quake, which struck during the afternoon on Tuesday.
The urgency of restoring communication services has heightened, as a near-total failure in telecommunications has hindered efforts for people to check in on their loved ones. Although some service providers have initiated repairs, connectivity remains inconsistent, and internet access is still down due to the damage of a submarine cable.
The earthquake, which occurred at a depth of 57 kilometers and was centered 30 kilometers from Port Vila, prompted a tsunami warning that was lifted within hours. However, numerous aftershocks continue to disrupt the area. A representative from the International Federation of Red Cross in the Asia-Pacific region reported that the extent of casualties and missing persons remains unclear but fears of an increasing toll were echoed by sources at rescue sites.
Vila Central Hospital, the primary healthcare facility in the capital, suffered significant damage and had to relocate its patients to a nearby military camp. Healthcare services in Vanuatu were already under pressure prior to the disaster, and current conditions have only exacerbated the situation.
The lack of water emerged as a primary concern for residents of Port Vila. The National Disaster Management Office reported that two main reservoirs supplying the city were completely destroyed. Local reports described long queues of individuals attempting to purchase limited bottled water from stores. UNICEF officials noted a troubling rise in waterborne illnesses among children due to contaminated water consumption.
In the aftermath, at least ten buildings incurred severe damage, particularly in the bustling downtown area that was crowded with shoppers during the quake. Many remain trapped under the debris, and local resident Milroy Cainton mentioned that rescuers are prioritizing their efforts based on where they believe people can still be saved.
A building that housed various diplomatic missions, including those from the United States, United Kingdom, France, and New Zealand, suffered catastrophic damage. While the U.S. State Department confirmed the safety of their embassy staff, the facility is no longer operational. New Zealand and Australia also reported that their embassy personnel are safe.
The earthquake’s impact on both the airport and seaport is expected to severely disrupt aid efforts and the economic recovery of a nation that relies heavily on tourism and agricultural exports. Commercial flights have been suspended for at least 72 hours, even though initial assessments found the runway to be suitable for humanitarian purposes, allowing military aircraft from Australia and New Zealand to transport rescue teams and supplies.
Additionally, reports of significant landslides were noted in the vicinity of the international shipping terminal. As Vanuatu sits on a tectonic subduction zone, earthquakes of significant magnitude are a regular occurrence, leading the country to design its buildings with structural resilience to earthquakes in mind.
