Several embassies of Western nations are among the damaged structures.
An earthquake near the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu struck on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction in the capital city, Port Vila. Among the damaged buildings was a complex housing the embassies of several Western countries. According to reports from AFP and AP, the earthquake resulted in casualties and injuries, though local authorities have yet to confirm these details due to disrupted telecommunications in the area.
The three-story building hosting the embassies of the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand partially collapsed, with its ground floor completely destroyed. An eyewitness from Port Vila told AFP that while the upper floors had suffered less damage, they had fallen onto the ruins below.
The quake also triggered a landslide in the city, reportedly burying a bus, and caused the collapse of two bridges. Telecommunications across much of the area were also disrupted, AFP reported.
The U.S. Embassy in Papua New Guinea announced on social media platform X that its embassy on Vanuatu would remain closed until further notice. According to the statement, the building suffered “significant damage,” though all personnel were confirmed safe. New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters also confirmed reports of damage to the embassy buildings.
The Red Cross in Fiji reported that its branch in Vanuatu had signaled extensive destruction but lost communication shortly afterward, AP stated.
Tuesday’s earthquake, with a magnitude of 7.4, struck at a depth of 57 kilometers, approximately 30 kilometers west of Vanuatu’s largest island, Efate. The quake was followed by a 5.5-magnitude aftershock. Although a tsunami warning was initially issued, it was later lifted.
Vanuatu comprises 80 islands with a total population of around 330,000.
