
A strong 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck near Vanuatu's capital, Port Vila, damaging buildings and other infrastructure.
The quake struck at a depth of 57.1 km, according to the US Geological Survey (USGS). The extent of damage remains unclear, but fatalities are also suspected.
Authorities issued a tsunami warning for parts of the Pacific island nation but later said the threat had passed. Images online showed collapsed buildings, damaged cars and furniture falling inside homes.
The US embassy in Port Vila is among the damaged buildings.
Many large buildings have collapsed in Port Vila, electricity has been knocked out and water has been cut off in much of the capital, Care Australia, a non-profit humanitarian agency, said in a statement.
CCTV footage of 7.4 Earthquake in Port Vila, Vanuatu
— Disasters Daily (@DisastersAndI) December 17, 2024
December 17, 2024 #earthquake #Vanuatu #terremoto #sismo pic.twitter.com/0MJWyhepga
A 7.3 magnitude earthquake damaged a building that houses the US and French embassies in the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila.
— GeoTechWar (@geotechwar) December 17, 2024
The tremor toppled a concrete pillar, cracked part of a wall and buckled windows in the building, which also houses other diplomatic missions. https://t.co/6tM54b2ZlY pic.twitter.com/xPKWDH7OMz