A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila, yesterday, claiming at least six lives and causing extensive damage to infrastructure, including two water reservoirs and a hospital. The devastating quake has prompted the government to declare a state of emergency and request international aid.
The national broadcaster, VBTC, aired harrowing footage of vehicles crushed under rubble, collapsed buildings, and landslides obstructing highways. Drone footage revealed widespread destruction, including landslips near a shipping terminal, underscoring the quake’s severe impact on the island nation.
Caretaker Prime Minister Charlot Salwai announced a seven-day curfew in the hardest-hit areas, describing the situation as a “sad and devastating time” for Port Vila. “Our thoughts are with the families who have lost loved ones,” Salwai said, emphasizing the government’s commitment to ongoing rescue and relief efforts.
At Port Vila’s hospital, officials confirmed six fatalities and over 50 injuries, with rescue teams working late into the evening to locate survivors trapped under collapsed buildings. “It was the most violent earthquake I’ve experienced in my 21 years in Vanuatu and the Pacific Islands,” said Dan McGarry, a journalist based in the region. “I’ve seen many large earthquakes, but nothing like this.”
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that an estimated 116,000 people have been affected by the disaster. It cited severe damage to the city’s hospital, rendering its operating theatre unusable. Makeshift triage tents have been erected outside the facility to handle the influx of patients.
The quake also compromised two key water reservoirs, exacerbating concerns about access to clean water and sanitation for affected residents. Efforts to assess the full scale of the damage are ongoing.
Port Vila’s international airport remains closed, according to Vanuatu’s High Commission in Canberra, further complicating relief operations.
Australia has pledged immediate assistance, with Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirming plans to deploy urban search and rescue teams as well as emergency medical units. “There is significant damage, and Australia is ready to help Vanuatu during this challenging time,” Wong stated.
The earthquake has left the island nation grappling with its worst natural disaster in years. International aid and local efforts will be crucial as Vanuatu faces the daunting task of recovery and rebuilding.
