<?xml version="1.0" encoding="ISO-8859-1"?> <docID>335537</docID> <postdate>2024-12-18 08:51:57</postdate> <headline>Australian rescuers en route to quake-stricken Vanuatu</headline> <body><p><img class="size-full wp-image-335538" src="https://citynews.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/20230210001761895713-original-resized.jpg" alt="" width="900" height="601" /></p> <caption>Australian rescue and medical teams are flying to Vanuatu on air force transport planes. (Bianca De Marchi/AAP PHOTOS)</caption> <p><span class="kicker-line">By <strong>Jacob Shteyman</strong> in Canberra</span></p> <p><strong>Australian rescue teams are set to depart for Vanuatu with fears the death toll will rise on the South Pacific island nation following a devastating earthquake.</strong></p> <p>At least 14 people were killed and hundreds injured after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck about 30km west of Port Vila at lunchtime on Tuesday.</p> <p>An Australian rescue team and a medical assistance team were preparing to fly to Vanuatu on Wednesday morning on air force transport planes.</p> <p>Aftershocks, including one 6.1 magnitude quake, had further rattled the island and rescue efforts.</p> <p>Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said there were no reports of Australian casualties from the quake.</p> <p>"We will continually liaise with the Vanuatu government about what further assistance we can provide as this unfolds," he told ABC Radio.</p> <p>"Clearly, this is a very significant incident and we hold anxiety about how it will unfold."</p> <p>Some Australian embassy staff suffered "small scrapes" and the government was still in the process of contacting local staff, Mr Marles said.</p> <p>The Australian High Commission to Vanuatu's communications systems had been impacted as a result of the quake, High Commissioner Max Willis said on social media.</p> <p>Mr Marles said Australia had been in high-level contact with the Vanuatu government but telecommunications systems were being strained.</p> <p>"We're talking about countries which have fragile infrastructure to begin with, so there are really significant challenges in these moments," he said.</p> <p>"That said, our contacts with Vanuatu are strong.</p> <p>"We're well-practised in terms of doing humanitarian and disaster release contingencies and measures in countries around the Pacific, including Vanuatu, so we're in a good position to be able to provide the assistance needed."</p> <p>The Australian government was preparing to provide further assistance based on Vanuatu's needs.</p> <p>French ambassador to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer, said France was working with Australia and New Zealand to organise disaster relief.</p> <p style="text-align: left;">"Many victims in the country, flights suspended, communications cut, no water or electricity, we are organising relief," he posted on social media.</p> <p style="text-align: right;"><strong>–with AP</strong></p> <p>https://citynews.com.au/2024/reeling-vanuatu-shaken-by-second-earthquake/</p> </body>