Tue Dec 17 05:50:00 UTC 2024: ## Strong Earthquake Strikes Near Vanuatu’s Capital; Tsunami Threat Passes
**Port Vila, Vanuatu** – A powerful 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck near the Vanuatu capital of Port Vila on Tuesday, causing significant damage to buildings and prompting a brief tsunami warning. While the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre initially observed waves, the threat to nearby islands, including Fiji, New Caledonia, and Papua New Guinea, has since been lifted. Australia and New Zealand also reported no tsunami danger.
Initial reports indicated the quake struck 37km from Port Vila at a depth of 10km, later revised to 43km. Social media footage showed damage to several buildings in Port Vila, including a structure housing foreign embassies, depicting buckled windows and collapsed concrete pillars. While there were no immediate reports of widespread casualties, journalist Dan McGarry reported at least one fatality at Vila Central Hospital, which has established a triage centre. He described the quake as the strongest he’d experienced in two decades and noted significant landslides near the international shipping terminal, potentially hindering relief efforts.
Vanuatu government websites and emergency phone lines were temporarily down following the quake, hampering initial response efforts. The Australian Red Cross has stated it is prepared to provide assistance if needed, with teams and supplies already on standby. The extent of the damage and the full impact of the earthquake are still being assessed.
First Piper 