The United States has announced the closure of its embassy in the capital city, Port Vila.
The decision comes after the embassy building sustained "considerable damage" during the seismic event.
The earthquake, which registered a magnitude of 7.3, hit Vanuatu on Tuesday, December 16, 2024, at approximately 12:47 pm local time.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the quake's epicenter was located about 30 kilometers off the coast of Efate, Vanuatu's main island, at a depth of 57 kilometers.
The tremor caused significant structural damage across the city, including the collapse of the ground floor of a building housing several embassies, including those of the United States, France, and New Zealand. A spokesperson for the US Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, confirmed the closure, stating, "The US Embassy in Port Vila has sustained considerable damage and is closed until further notice.
Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this earthquake, and the US government will work closely with our partners in Vanuatu." Eyewitness accounts describe scenes of devastation in Port Vila, with buildings reduced to rubble and debris scattered across the streets.
Michael Thompson, a resident of the city, reported seeing bodies amidst the wreckage. "If there was anyone in there at the time, then they're gone," he told Agence France-Presse (AFP) via satellite phone. The New Zealand High Commission, also located in the damaged building, suffered "significant damage," according to a statement from New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters' office.
"New Zealand is deeply concerned about the significant earthquake in Vanuatu, and the damage it has caused," the statement read.
In addition to the structural damage, the earthquake triggered small tsunami waves and led to widespread internet outages. Initial tsunami warnings were issued but later lifted by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
Despite the cancellation of the tsunami threat, authorities warned of potential minor sea level fluctuations in coastal areas.
Vanuatu, an archipelago of approximately 330,000 people, is situated along the Pacific Ring of Fire, a region known for its intense tectonic activity.
The country is ranked as one of the most vulnerable to natural disasters, including earthquakes, tsunamis, and cyclones.
The US Embassy in Vanuatu was only recently established in July 2024, as part of a broader effort by the United States to increase its diplomatic presence in the Pacific region.
This move is seen as part of a strategic competition with China for influence in the area. As rescue operations continue, the need for international assistance is becoming increasingly apparent.
"The support we need from overseas is medical evacuation and skilled rescue, kind of people that can operate in earthquakes," Thompson emphasized.
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