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A second earthquake has struck the Vanuatu islands, amid an international search and rescue operation following Tuesday’s deadly quake.
With communications down, the official death toll was not yet known. But at least 14 people were reportedly killed and 200 have been treated for injuries, according to Katie Greenwood, a Fiji-based regional head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, citing the government.
While the full extent of the devastation in Vanuatu remains unclear, Australia is among the countries deploying assistance to the earthquake-struck Pacific nation.
At lunchtime on Tuesday, a 7.3 magnitude tremor rattled Port Vila for 30 seconds, causing destruction in the capital.
A second quake of magnitude 5.5 struck on Wednesday morning, the German Research Center for Geosciences says.
Many photos on social media show collapsed buildings, one with crumpled cars underneath.
“People died and many more were hurt. Some have lost their home, and many will find it hard to get back to work. Repairs will likely stretch for years, as they always do in the wake of disaster,” Dan McGarry, a journalist said.
“But people are pulling together as only Vanuatu knows how. We will get through this. We always do.”
Those that were able to communicate with the outside world were largely able to do so through Starlink, including McGarry.
“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 ... I’m expecting the casualty figure to rise,” he said about three hours after the earthquake.
McGarry has documented landslips around the capital, including a major blockage of a key road near the country’s chief international port, in addition to destruction of buildings.
Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign minister, said the government was preparing to deploy immediate assistance to Vanuatu today.
Speaking in London, she said Australia would be sending emergency medical teams and urban search and rescue units to the island. A helpline has been set up to help Australians who could be caught up in the disaster.
“We will provide whatever assistance is required. I say to the people of Vanuatu, you are family and Australia is here to help,” she said.
A building housing the United States, United Kingdom, French and New Zealand diplomatic posts was among the worst hit, with the bottom floor of the US embassy crushed by the above floors.
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The US and other nations have reported all of their staff to be safe.
“Many victims in the country, flights suspended, communications cut, no water or electricity, we are organising relief,” the French ambassador to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer, posted on social media.
In a broadcast by news outlet VBTC, the caretaker prime minister, Charlot Salwai, issued a state of emergency for seven days, and instituted a curfew – except for essential services – from 6pm to 6am.
More than 80 islands make up Vanuatu, and it is also unclear how the 350,000-strong population is faring in towns and settlements outside the capital.
Jeangene Vilmer said France was working with Australia and New Zealand to co-ordinate the disaster response.
The disaster has also occurred at a moment of political turmoil in the Melanesian country.
Salwai dissolved parliament last month, setting the stage for a snap election on 14 January, only for opposition MPs to mount a constitutional challenge to his move.
While a first case was dismissed by the supreme court last week, the former prime minister Ishmael Kalsakau has announced they are appealing that judgment – which was due to be heard before Christmas.
- with Reuters
