Death Toll from Vanuatu Earthquake Increases to 14
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Sydney, Dec 18 (NationPress) A tragic toll of at least 14 fatalities has been reported, with hundreds more injured, after a powerful earthquake hit Vanuatu on Tuesday.
The Red Cross provided the updated casualty figures early Wednesday local time, referencing official government sources. Earlier reports from local media indicated a death toll of seven.
The earthquake, measuring 7.3 in magnitude, struck the capital city of Port Vila on Tuesday, resulting in extensive damage.
Several aftershocks followed the initial quake, including one that registered a magnitude of 5.5 in the early hours of Wednesday, as reported by the US Geological Survey.
Katie Greenwood, the Fiji-based head of the Red Cross in the Pacific, shared on social media that over 200 individuals have been injured.
Australia's Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has acknowledged awareness of several Australians present in the region, but Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles stated on Wednesday that none are believed to have suffered injuries.
Penny Wong, Minister for Foreign Affairs, issued a statement on Tuesday night noting the earthquake's significant damage and announced that Australia would dispatch aid on Wednesday.
According to Australia's 9News, the United Nations humanitarian office reported that access to the airport and seaport in Port Vila is severely limited due to road damage, which could hinder aid delivery efforts.
Clement Chipokolo from World Vision Vanuatu expressed to Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) television that he anticipates the death toll to increase due to the extensive damage.
He noted that damage to electricity and communication lines is obstructing rescue and recovery operations.
Vanuatu has experienced a rotation of four Prime Ministers within four years and is scheduled for a snap election in January. In November, Prime Minister Charlot Salwai requested President Nikenike Vurobaravu to dissolve Parliament to avoid a no-confidence vote, similar to the fate of his recent predecessors.
However, Vanuatu is no stranger to natural disasters, suffering from the impacts of cyclones and volcanic eruptions. Its location on a subduction zone—where the Indo-Australia tectonic plate moves beneath the Pacific Plate—means that earthquakes greater than magnitude 6 are not unusual, and the country's structures are designed to endure seismic impacts.
