A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near Vanuatu on Tuesday, triggering small tsunami waves and causing significant damage to the US Embassy in Port Vila. The quake also knocked out most of the internet connectivity in the Pacific Island nation.
As of early Wednesday, at least 14 people were confirmed dead, with over 200 injured at the main hospital in Port Vila. Local organizations have set up shelters for those affected by the disaster.
The earthquake damaged an airstrip, electricity and communications infrastructure, disrupting flights into the country. Aftershocks of magnitude 5.5 were recorded, adding to concerns during search-and-rescue efforts.
Internet connectivity was severely impacted, with phone calls and online services unavailable in many areas. The US Embassy in Port Vila sustained considerable damage and is currently closed until further notice.
Tsunami waves of up to 0.8 feet above normal tidal levels were recorded hitting Vanuatu’s coastline after the quake. Authorities issued a tsunami alert initially, but later lifted it as the threat passed.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/12/16/world/asia/vanuatu-earthquake-tsunami.html