Vanuatu, a South Pacific island nation, was struck by a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday, December 17th. The quake caused buildings to collapse, damaged undersea cables leading to network outages, and destroyed reservoirs. The capital region was the hardest hit, with water supply remaining disrupted on Wednesday. Rescue teams are still searching for more survivors with the death toll confirmed at 14, including two Chinese nationals. Authorities expect the number of casualties to rise as the search and rescue efforts continue.
The Vanuatu government’s disaster management office confirmed on Wednesday that 14 people had died. However, a few hours later, they reported that a major hospital had confirmed nine deaths. A spokesperson stated that with people still trapped in collapsed buildings, the death toll is expected to increase. Around 200 people were reported injured.
Chinese embassy officials temporarily stationed in Vanuatu told the official Chinese media Xinhua that two Chinese citizens or overseas Chinese from Fujian province were believed to have perished in the earthquake, with their identities and names being verified with local authorities.
According to embassy officials, one of the victims was trapped in a collapsed self-built building along with two others, with two individuals managing to escape while one perished. On the day of the earthquake, a commercial building in the center of the capital, Port Vila, collapsed, trapping many people inside. Embassy personnel later confirmed the death of another Chinese citizen or overseas Chinese.
Since the quake struck on Tuesday noon, the search for survivors in the rubble has been ongoing for 30 hours. In the Port Vila area, despite some survivors being rescued, others remain trapped, and some have been found deceased.
Adding to the woes, the country’s telecommunications have been almost entirely paralyzed, making it difficult for people to confirm the safety of their loved ones. Some providers have begun restoring phone services, but connectivity remains intermittent.
Operators stated that due to damage to undersea cables providing network services, internet service has yet to be restored. Footage from the national broadcaster VBTC showed people queuing for fuel and essential supplies due to the disruption in power, water, and communication.
Eric Durpaire, the director of the UNICEF office in Vanuatu, highlighted water contamination as a major issue, noting an increase in cases of diarrhea among children due to drinking contaminated water as the water supply was cut off.
The earthquake, with a depth of 57 kilometers (35 miles) and its epicenter located 30 kilometers (19 miles) west of Port Vila, resulted in the cancellation of a tsunami warning less than two hours after its occurrence. However, dozens of significant aftershocks continued to afflict the country.
Katie Greenwood, the head of the International Red Cross in the Asia-Pacific region, stated in an interview with the Associated Press in Fiji that it is still unclear how many people are missing or deceased. She mentioned that some information had been obtained from rescue personnel at the site, with the unfortunate indication that the numbers would rise.
The main healthcare facility, Vila Central Hospital in the capital, suffered severe damage, prompting patients to be relocated to a military camp. Clement Chipokolo, the national director of the World Vision aid agency in Vanuatu, remarked that the healthcare system, already strained before the earthquake, was now overwhelmed.
Officials noted on Wednesday evening that Port Vila appeared to be the worst-hit area, with some nearby villages and offshore islands experiencing landslides. The government reported that three bridges were at “high risk of collapse” in heavy rain.
Embassies from the United States, France, Britain, Australia, and New Zealand in Port Vila had their offices in a damaged building due to the earthquake, with the entire ground floor collapsing. The U.S. State Department confirmed the safety of their embassy personnel but stated that the building was no longer operational. The office, opened in July, was part of US efforts to expand its presence in the Pacific region as a countermeasure against Chinese influence in the area.
As a result of the earthquake’s impact, the airport closed to commercial flights for an additional 72 hours starting from Wednesday.
Dan McGarry, a journalist residing in Vanuatu, reported that the international shipping terminal experienced a “massive landslide” due to the earthquake.