<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>335508</docID> <postdate>2024-12-17 17:12:32</postdate> <headline>Major damage, deaths feared in Vanuatu earthquake</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-335509" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/r0_0_800_600_w1200_h678_fmax-1-1.webp" alt="" width="800" height="600" /></p> <caption>A magnitude 7.3 earthquake has struck off the coast of the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu. (HANDOUT/GEOSCIENCE AUSTRALIA)</caption> <p class="wire-column__preview__author"><span class="kicker-line">By <b>Ben McKay</b> in Darwin</span></p> <p><strong>A major casualty event is feared in Port Vila after a brutal earthquake rumbled Vanuatu's capital, damaging buildings including a diplomatic hub.</strong></p> <p>A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck just off the coast of Vanuatu's major island of Efate on Tuesday afternoon.</p> <p>Locals reported on social media feeling violent shaking for around 30 seconds.</p> <p>Broadcaster VBTC has reported a number of destroyed buildings, some of which have fallen on and crumpled cars.</p> <p>The La Casa D'Andrea E Luciano building, which houses the US, UK, French and New Zealand embassies and High Commissions, has been seriously damaged, with footage posted to social media showing a section of building collapsed onto the first floor.</p> <p>France's Pacific envoy Veronique Roger-Lacan posted on social media that diplomatic personnel were unharmed.</p> <p>Other photos and videos published by VBTC show minor damage, including shattered windows and walls, and rearranged interiors.</p> <p>Dan McGarry, a Vanuatu-based journalist, posted drone footage of major landslides near Vanuatu's international shipping terminal.</p> <p>He told AAP there was no doubt there had been casualties from the tremor.</p> <p>"There are buildings down here so I'm expecting the casualty figure to rise," he said.</p> <p>"I know of one fatality according to police stationed at Port Vila Central Hospital, and I saw with my own eyes three others on gurneys, several others walking around, walking wounded.</p> <p>"I think it will probably be in the dozens, altogether dead and wounded."</p> <p>Attempts to confirm fatalities or injuries with Vanuatu authorities have been unsuccessful, owing to communications issues.</p> <p>AP reported government websites were offline in the immediate aftermath of the tremor, as were local media outlets.</p> <p>"There is limited connectivity through one of our telecommunications carriers, the other one is entirely offline and power is out through the entire capital," Mr McGarry said.</p> <p>Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Australian government was closely monitoring the situation in Vanuatu following the quake.</p> <p>New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters confirmed "significant damage" to the diplomatic building, along with his "deep concerns" following the significant tremor.</p> <p>Treasurer Jim Chalmers, speaking to media shortly after the disaster, said the earthquake was "very serious" and "very troubling".</p> <p>"I'm confident I speak on behalf of all Australians when I say that we are thinking of the wonderful people of Vanuatu," he said.</p> <p>A tsunami threat to Australia and New Zealand was cleared by authorities in both countries.</p> <p>The earthquake occurred at a relatively shallow depth of 57km, according to American earthquake monitors the<b> </b>United States Geological Survey (USGS).</p> <p>Smaller aftershocks, including one of 5.5 magnitude, followed.</p> <p>The island nation lies on the "Ring of Fire", a 40,000km seismically active arc around the rim of the Pacific tectonic plate.</p> <p>"Vanuatu is situated, like New Zealand, on top of a subduction zone," University of Auckland physics associate professor Kasper van Wijk said.</p> <p>"This particular earthquake was shallow and close to Port Vila, so I expect there to be significant damage from the earthquake."</p> <p>Australia's foreign affairs department advises that Australians requiring consular assistance should contact the their 24-hour <a href="https://www.smartraveller.gov.au/i-need-urgent-help">Consular Emergency Centre</a> on +61 6261 3305.</p> </body>