Significant damage reported after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake strikes Vanuatu

The recent 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Vanuatu on December 17, 2024, has resulted in catastrophic damage, particularly in the capital city of Port Vila. Initial reports indicate that significant destruction occurred, including the collapse of multiple buildings and extensive infrastructure damage . Notably, a structure housing the embassies of the United States, France, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom was severely affected; eyewitnesses described it as having its ground floor completely destroyed . This incident underscores Vanuatu's vulnerability to natural disasters due to its geographical location within the Pacific Ring of Fire.

Power and mobile networks across the country have been cut off and the full extent of the damage still remains unclear, but there are unconfirmed reports of at least one death.

Dan McGarry, a journalist living in Port Vila, said he saw "several people who were visibly, seriously injured" outside the hospital's emergency department.

Vanuatu is prone to earthquakes, but Mr McGarry told the BBC that the earthquake, which struck at 12:47 local time (01:47 GMT), felt like "the biggest one... in more than 20 years".

The quake caused buildings to collapse, crushing cars, with some feared to be trapped under the rubble. Landslides occurred near an international shipping terminal at Port Villa, blocking access, according to Reuters.

Hours after the quake hit, crowds began to form outside a hospital waiting to be treated, according to the Associated Press, citing footage from national broadcaster Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation, whose website had gone offline.

Multiple social media videos geolocated by CNN showed damage to a red and blue building that houses the US and other Western embassies. One section of the ground floor appeared to have partially collapsed, with debris strewn around the US embassy’s crest and several windows shattered.

Professor Meghan Miller, from the research school of earth sciences at the Australian National University, said the quake hit a seismically active area and “moderate damage” was likely.

“In this region, where the tectonic plates converge is one the world’s most seismically active plate boundaries,” she said, “The earthquake hypocentre was fairly deep, about 57km, which means there was no tsunami generated. However … the island experienced very strong shaking, likely resulting in moderate damage to structures.”

In addition to structural damage, there are reports of casualties and injuries among residents. As rescue efforts commence, authorities face challenges related to medical evacuations and securing specialized rescue personnel. A tsunami warning was briefly issued but later lifted; however, concerns remain regarding potential aftershocks. The Vanuatu government has urged coastal residents to evacuate as a precautionary measure. Overall, this earthquake represents one of the most significant natural disasters experienced in Vanuatu's history.

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Sarah H

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