A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu's main island, causing significant damage to buildings in the capital, Port Vila, and prompting fears of major casualties.
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu ’s major island of Efate on Tuesday afternoon, causing damage in Port Vila , including the La Casa D’Andrea E Luciano building, which houses several embassies. Locals reported violent shaking for around 30 seconds, and broadcaster VBTC reported a number of destroyed buildings.
The La Casa D’Andrea E Luciano building, which houses the US, UK, French and New Zealand embassies and High Commissions, has been seriously damaged, with a section of building collapsed onto the first floor. France’s Pacific envoy Veronique Roger-Lacan posted on social media that diplomatic personnel were unharmed. Other photos and videos published by VBTC show minor damage, including shattered windows and walls, and rearranged interiors. Dan McGarry, a Vanuatu-based journalist, posted drone footage of major landslides near Vanuatu’s international shipping terminal. He told AAP there was no doubt there had been casualties from the tremor. “There are buildings down here so I’m expecting the casualty figure to rise,” he said. “I know of one fatality according to police stationed at Port Vila Central Hospital, and I saw with my own eyes three others on gurneys, several others walking around, walking wounded. “I think it will probably be in the dozens, altogether dead and wounded.” Attempts to confirm fatalities or injuries with Vanuatu authorities have been unsuccessful, owing to communications issues. AP reported government websites were offline in the immediate aftermath of the tremor, as were local media outlets. “There is limited connectivity through one of our telecommunications carriers, the other one is entirely offline and power is out through the entire capital,” Mr McGarry said
Earthquake Vanuatu Port Vila Casualties Damage
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