Vanuatu, a small South Pacific island nation made up of 80 islands and home to 330,000 residents, was rocked by a devastating magnitude 7.3 earthquake that struck just 30 kilometers west of its largest city, Port Vila. The quake, which hit early on Tuesday afternoon, led to the deaths of at least 14 people and left hundreds injured, with many more trapped under the rubble of collapsed buildings.
Rescuers worked tirelessly throughout the night to reach those in need of help, but the widespread infrastructure damage caused by the earthquake made communication and coordination difficult. The Red Cross reported around 200 injuries and 14 confirmed deaths early on Wednesday, but the true extent of the destruction was yet to be fully assessed due to the challenges faced by first responders in reaching affected areas.
One of the most severely impacted structures was Vila Central Hospital, which was already struggling to cope with the number of patients it was treating even before the earthquake struck. The hospital was left without electricity or water, adding to the challenges faced by medical staff trying to care for the injured.
Roads leading to the airport and sea port were heavily damaged, further complicating the delivery of aid and the evacuation of those in need of medical attention. The UN humanitarian office reported that damage assessments at the airport were scheduled to take place on Wednesday, but early reports suggested that access was severely restricted.
Videos shared on social media showed the extent of the destruction in Port Vila, with a downtown skyscraper collapsing into its lower levels and trapping shoppers who were inside the building at the time of the quake. Rescuers scrambled to free those trapped, with reports of survivors being pulled from the rubble throughout the night.
Local residents and international diplomats alike were affected by the earthquake, with embassies from the US, UK, France, and New Zealand all reporting damage to their facilities in Port Vila. The US Embassy confirmed that all staff were safe but that the embassy would be closed until further notice.
In the aftermath of the earthquake, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew from 6 p.m. to 6 a.m. in the worst-hit districts. Only essential services were allowed to operate, and residents were urged to avoid coastal areas for 24 hours until tsunami and earthquake monitoring systems could be restored.
The international community mobilized quickly to offer assistance to Vanuatu, with New Zealand and Australia both pledging to send military and relief teams to the island nation. French Armed Forces Minister Sébastien Lecornu also stated that France was preparing to provide support in any way possible.
As the people of Vanuatu began to assess the damage and come to terms with the loss of life caused by the earthquake, concerns were raised about the impact on the country’s economy, which relies heavily on agriculture and tourism. The road to recovery would undoubtedly be long and challenging, but the resilience and spirit of the people of Vanuatu would undoubtedly help them through this difficult time.
