A devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu in Oceania, on Tuesday, killing 14 people and injuring 200, Morocco’s Press Agency (MAP) reported.
Vanuatu’s National Disaster Management Office reported that six victims had died in landslides, four in the collapse of a building, and another four succumbed to their injuries at Port-Vila’s central hospital, according to local media reports.
Rescue operations continued on Wednesday as emergency teams worked to free people trapped under rubble across the city.
The earthquake also damaged several foreign embassies, including the embassies of the US, the UK, France, and New Zealand. Due to the influx of victims, rescue teams set up triage tents outside Port Vila’s main hospital to treat the injured.
The earthquake struck at 12:47 p.m. local time (01:47 GMT) off the coast of Vanuatu’s main island, where Port Vila is located.
Interim Prime Minister Charlot Salwai declared a state of emergency and imposed a seven-day curfew in the hardest-hit areas. The government has also appealed for international assistance.
Australia responded immediately by dispatching two military aircraft equipped with medical teams and search-and-rescue units. France sent a military helicopter from New Caledonia to assist relief efforts.