Located in the Ocean, in the region known as Melanesia, the territory of Vanuatu consists of 83 islands that occupy the archipelago of New Zealand.
An earthquake of magnitude 7.3 struck the capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila, this Tuesday, the 17th, killing at least six people and damaging two reservoirs and a hospital, according to local media and the United Nations. Security camera footage from the moment the earthquake struck showed people running in panic in a garage and cars shaking on the ground. Port Vila international airport is closed, the Vanuatu High Commission in Canberra said.
The US Geological Survey said the temblor struck at a depth of 10 km and was followed by half a dozen aftershocks that hit Vanuatu after the initial quake, USGS data showed. Many of them were strong enough to be felt in Port Vila. After a few hours, the US Tsunami Warning System canceled the initial tsunami warning for Vanuatu.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that 116,000 people were affected by the earthquake. He said six people had died without securing and damage to two main water reservoirs.
National broadcaster VBTC showed images of vehicles crushed under the rubble of collapsed buildings and rocks strewn across a highway. Drone footage showed landslides near a departure terminal. A Port Vila hospital official told VBTC that six people died and more than 50 were injured. Rescue efforts to find people trapped in collapsed buildings continued in the afternoon, a police official told local media.
Acting Prime Minister Charlot Salwai declared a state of emergency and said a seven-day curfew would be imposed in the worst-hit areas. International help was requested.
The French Ministry of Foreign Affairs, with “full solidarity” with the authorities and the population concerned, as well as “condolences with the families who have lost their loved ones, declared that France is ready to send any assistance when requested, to contribute) to the emergency operations.
Paris also announces that the “FRANZ Mechanism to coordinate emergency humanitarian aid between France, Australia and New Zealand” is active.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said there was significant damage and Australia was preparing to send assistance including urban search and rescue and emergency medical teams on Wednesday.
Located in the Ocean, in the region known as Melanesia, the territory of Vanuatu consists of 83 islands that occupy the archipelago of New Zealand.
*With information from Reuters Agencies, AFP, Ansa