[A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit Vanuatu, a Pacific island nation, on Tuesday, causing widespread damage and chaos. The quake, which struck 30 kilometers west of the capital Port Vila at a depth of 57.1 kilometers, was followed by a 5.5 aftershock.
The earthquake caused buildings to collapse, crushing vehicles, and damaged multiple structures, including a complex that houses the diplomatic missions of Western nations, including the United States, France, and the United Kingdom. The US Embassy in Port Vila was severely damaged, and the US government announced that it would be closed until further notice.
At least one person was killed in the disaster, and the official death toll was not immediately available. The country’s communication networks were also affected, leaving emergency services and government agencies unable to respond to the crisis.
The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies reported that the damage was widespread, with collapsed buildings in downtown Port Vila and crippled infrastructure in provincial areas. The organization’s regional head, Katie Greenwood, described the damage as the worst she had seen in the Pacific.
The US Geological Survey (USGS) issued a yellow alert, predicting that some casualties and damage were possible, and that the impact would be localized. The agency estimated that the economic losses could be around 1-10% of Vanuatu’s GDP.
Initial tsunami warnings were later cancelled, and the National Weather Service Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that minor sea level fluctuations may occur in some coastal areas. The United States, which recently opened its embassy in Vanuatu as part of a efforts to increase its presence in the Pacific, stated that it would work closely with Vanuatu to support the country during this time.
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