A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit Vanuatu on Tuesday, December 17, 2024, leveling parts of the capital, Port Vila, and surrounding areas. The quake, which hit at 12:47 pm local time, left a trail of chaos, damaging key buildings, disrupting utilities, and prompting emergency rescue efforts.
Epicenter and Earthquake Details
According to the US Geological Survey, the tremor took place approximately 30 kilometers west of Port Vila at a depth of 57 kilometers. Such a shallow depth increased the intensity of the quake and caused much destruction on the main island, Efate. Residents said that the violent shaking of the earth brought down structures and sent people running for their lives.
Infrastructure Damage
PorExtensivet Vila was severely structurally damaged due to the earthquake:
Embassy Buildings: The structure that housed the U.S., French, and U.K. embassies was badly affected. It was reported that the ground floor of the embassy building had collapsed with fears that people might have been trapped inside. New Zealand High Commission also received significant damage.
CARE International Office: The headquarters of CARE International, an organization which provides humanitarian aid, was seriously damaged. There are reports of widespread cracks in the structure and debris in the building.
Public Infrastructure: Several big buildings in the capital have collapsed partially, and the streets are littered with rubble and block major roads. Social media videos were circulating uprooted trees, fallen debris, and damaged vehicles.Utilities Disrupted
The earthquake has severely disrupted essential services:Power Outages: Electricity supply has been cut off in most parts of Port Vila, leaving neighborhoods in darkness. Restoration efforts are slow as officials assess the scale of infrastructure damage.
Water Supply: Water pipelines have been broken. Therefore, many residents lack access to clean water. Authorities ask residents to conserve the available water.Casualties and Injuries
Initial reports confirm at least one fatality, dozens of injured people are now being treated in local hospitals, and rescue teams are endeavoring to reach people underneath debris. Casualties were still being assessed in districts where buildings have collapsed.
It has issued a tsunami warning and later lifted it.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued an immediate tsunami alert to Vanuatu immediately following the earthquake, indicating that waves could reach up to 1 meter in height. People were advised to go to higher ground. Although minor tsunami waves were recorded, no significant coastal flooding was observed; thus, the warning was soon lifted.
Other countries located in the same region such as Fiji, New Caledonia, and Solomon Islands were on alert but no severe impact was recorded.
Emergency Response Efforts
Rescue Operations: The rescue operations are being done by emergency teams. Their concern is to find and save people stuck in the building that is damaged.
International Support: Australia and New Zealand have offered to help. The ADF is ready to provide rescue and recovery services once requested by the government of Vanuatu.
Humanitarian Concerns: Relief organizations, including CARE International, are coordinating efforts to provide immediate support to affected communities. Food, water, and medical supplies remain top priorities for relief teams.Impact on Residents
The earthquake has left residents in shock and uncertainty. Videos shared on social media captured the harrowing moments during and after the quake:
CCTV footage showed buildings swaying violently, people sprinting for cover, and pets fleeing in panic.
Now families shelter in the temporary makeshift camps while the aftershocks keep happening and have fuelled the fear of another possible collapse.
Vanuatu’s Vulnerability to Disasters
Along the Pacific Ring of Fire lies the world’s most disaster-prone country, Vanuatu. The geographical nature exposes the nation to earthquakes, cyclones, and tsunamis. This has seen the 2024 World Risk Report rank it amongst the world’s most vulnerable states considering that its infrastructure is shallow, andits geography low lying
Outlook and Recovery
Authorities are warning people to be prepared for aftershocks, which would worsen the already substantial damage. Recovery and reconstruction efforts will take months, even years, as most critical infrastructure is destroyed.
The role of international aid and coordinated humanitarian support is going to be highly instrumental in the process of rehabilitation of Vanuatu following this disaster. First and foremost, efforts should focus on saving lives, restoring utilities, and giving relief to affected communities.
