A magnitude 7.3 earthquake has struck near Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila, damaging buildings and other infrastructure.
The earthquake occurred at 12:47 local time (01:47 GMT) at a depth of 57.1km, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
It quickly triggered a tsunami warning for many areas of the Pacific island nation, but officials said at 14:14 local time that the threat had passed.
The extent of the damage remains unclear, but there are unconfirmed reports of at least one death.
Dan McGarry, a journalist who lives in Port Vila, said police at Vila Central Hospital told him that one person had died.
Posting on X, McGarry said he saw three “seriously injured” people in hospital waiting for treatment. He added that the quake was “the biggest I have seen in over 20 years.”
Footage on social media showed collapsed buildings, cars hit by falling planks and furniture scattered on floors in homes. Residents are reporting patchy communication.
The US Embassy in Port Vila was among the damaged buildings, according to photos posted online.
US officials said the building had sustained “significant damage” and would be closed until further notice.
“Our thoughts are with those affected by this earthquake and the U.S. government will work closely with our partners in Vanuatu,” the embassy in Papua New Guinea said in a statement. dad.
Michael Thompson, director of adventure company Vanuatu Jungle Zipline, told AFP news agency that he saw bodies lying on the street.
“There are buildings that have collapsed around town,” Mr. Thompson said in a separate video posted to Facebook. A major rescue operation is underway to find people who may still be alive in the building.”
“Most of the communications are gone.”
USGS reported at least four aftershocks around Port Vila – with magnitudes ranging from 4.7 to 5.5 – in the two hours after the first quake.
Authorities in neighboring New Zealand and Australia said there was no tsunami threat to their countries.
Australia also said it is “ready to assist Vanuatu when the extent of damage is assessed”.
“Vanuatu is family and we will always be there when needed,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong wrote on X.
Vanuatu, a low-lying archipelago of about 80 islands, is located in a seismically active area and is regularly subject to major earthquakes and other natural disasters.
