WELLINGTON, New Zealand — The capital of Vanuatu faced a critical water shortage on Wednesday following a devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck the South Pacific archipelago on Tuesday afternoon. This natural disaster resulted in the tragic loss of at least 14 lives and left hundreds more injured, with expectations that the numbers could increase.
Rescue operations continued with urgency as crews sifted through the debris of collapsed buildings, working in oppressive heat and dust. Many search and rescue workers scoured downtown Port Vila, the nation’s largest city, for survivors who were crying out for help. While some individuals were successfully freed from the wreckage, others were found deceased, and many remained trapped beneath the ruins.
A significant disruption in telecommunications created challenges for families trying to verify the safety of their loved ones. Although some service providers were in the process of restoring phone connections, they were inconsistent at best. The internet service remained down due to damage to the submarine cable that facilitates connectivity.
The earthquake struck at a depth of 57 kilometers (35 miles) and was located 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Port Vila, which is part of a cluster of 80 islands with a population of approximately 330,000. Initially, a tsunami warning was issued but was rescinded within hours of the quake. Nevertheless, the region continued to experience numerous aftershocks that contributed to the sense of unease.
According to the government, the reported casualties included four deaths at the primary hospital, six due to a landslide, and four fatalities from a building collapse. Reports indicated that more than 200 people were treated at Vila Central Hospital, but the official death toll had not been updated in over 15 hours. Katie Greenwood, head of the International Federation of Red Cross’ Asia-Pacific operations, stated from Fiji that there was uncertainty regarding how many individuals were still unaccounted for, and that anecdotal reports suggested the casualty figures could climb.
Vila Central Hospital itself suffered substantial damage during the earthquake; patients have since been relocated to a military facility as medical services, already under strain before the disaster, became overwhelmed.
In Port Vila, the primary concern among residents and aid organizations was the lack of water availability. Two significant reservoirs crucial for the capital’s supply were entirely destroyed, according to the National Disaster Management Office. Local resident Milroy Cainton described the situation as chaotic, with people forming long lines at stores, where they could buy only two to four bottles of water each. Cainton noted that the immediate worry was water, overshadowing concerns about electricity. UNICEF reported an uptick in diarrhea cases among children, indicating that some were resorting to drinking contaminated water.
The earthquake caused severe damage to around ten buildings, especially in the busy downtown area where the quake struck during lunchtime. Numerous individuals were trapped inside these structures, and rescuers had to concentrate their recovery efforts on the most promising sites. Michael Thompson, a local business owner, shared his experiences of the ongoing rescue operations on social media, urging the public for essential supplies and tools.
Additionally, a facility that housed various diplomatic missions, including those of the United States, United Kingdom, France, and New Zealand, suffered heavy damage, with part of the building collapsing and causing significant structural failure. The U.S. State Department confirmed the safety of its embassy personnel but noted that the facility was now unserviceable. This embassy had recently been opened as part of a strategy to bolster U.S. influence in the Pacific region amid growing Chinese presence. Meanwhile, both New Zealand and Australia confirmed the safety of their respective embassy staff.
The earthquake also severely impacted the seaport and airport infrastructure, critical for delivering relief and supporting the local agriculture and tourism-driven economy. Commercial flights were suspended for 72 hours, although French engineers determined the runway would remain operational for humanitarian efforts. Military assistance from Australia and New Zealand began to materialize, bringing search and rescue teams and necessary supplies.
Dan McGarry, a journalist based in Vanuatu, reported significant landslides affecting the international shipping terminal, and the government confirmed the main wharf’s closure. Landslides also isolated certain villages, and according to Greenwood from the Red Cross, communication with some coastal areas near the quake’s epicenter had not yet been established. There is uncertainty whether the damages observed in downtown Port Vila represent the entirety of the disaster’s impact or just part of its widespread consequences.
Vanuatu sits atop a subduction zone where the Indo-Australian tectonic plate interacts with the Pacific Plate, resulting in frequent seismic activity, including earthquakes exceeding a magnitude of 6. The structural design of buildings in the area is intended to withstand such events, and the current situation highlights the vulnerability of the infrastructure.