US embassy in Vanuatu suffers ‘considerable damage’ as powerful quake strikes Pacific nation

Tue Dec 17 07:05:26 UTC 2024: ## Powerful Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu, Causing Damage and at Least One Death

**Port Vila, Vanuatu** – A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu on Tuesday, causing significant damage to buildings and infrastructure, and resulting in at least one death. The quake, which struck around noon local time, was centered about 57 kilometers deep and triggered a yellow alert from the US Geological Survey (USGS), indicating potential for significant economic losses and casualties.

The earthquake severely damaged a complex in the capital, Port Vila, housing the diplomatic missions of several Western nations, including the United States, France, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. The US Embassy sustained considerable damage and is currently closed. Social media videos showed partial collapse of a section of the building, shattered windows, and debris.

According to Katie Greenwood, regional head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, damage is widespread, with collapsed buildings in downtown Port Vila and crippled infrastructure in provincial areas. Red Cross volunteers are mobilizing to assist affected communities.

Initial reports suggest at least one fatality, with the death occurring in a hospital. The USGS estimated that 73,000 people experienced severe shaking, with 36,000 of those in Port Vila. The Vanuatu government’s websites and emergency phone lines were initially down following the quake, hindering immediate response efforts.

While initial tsunami warnings were issued, they were later cancelled. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center cautioned that minor sea level fluctuations might still occur in some coastal areas.

The earthquake comes just months after the US opened its embassy in Vanuatu, a move reflecting increased US diplomatic engagement in the Pacific region. The damage to the newly opened embassy underscores the vulnerability of the island nation to seismic activity. The full extent of the damage and casualties is still being assessed.