7.3 Earthquake hits near Vanuatu Live updates: Bodies seen after buildings destroyed, tsunami threat passes

Bodies were seen as rescuers combed through the rubble of buildings that collapsed when a 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck the island of Vanuatu this afternoon.

A major search and rescue operation is now underway as those on the ground seek to find survivors.

Agence France-Presse reported that bodies could be seen in the capital, Port Vila, after the strong earthquake that led to the collapse of bridges, caused landslides, and caused serious damage to many buildings.

A New Zealander rushed to get to higher ground amid the “chaos” in Port Vila when the earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu.

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The woman, one of 45 New Zealanders registered in the Pacific nation, was at a shop on the Fatumaru Bay waterfront in Port Vila when the 57km-deep quake destroyed buildings in the capital at about 2.47pm (New Zealand time).

The woman, who did not want to give her name, told the Herald: “It happened in a way I had never experienced before.”

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“It's chaos. In the city, there are buildings everywhere, and people are trapped under the rubble.

“While we were going out [the area] I looked straight ahead and thought, oh my God, a whole three-story building has come down and you can see the back door of the cars sticking out from the bottom.

“This is a busy place, everyone is walking, there are people everywhere.”

The woman said “everything” went down in the store when the shaking occurred, which is believed to have lasted about 20 seconds.

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“Everything fell [in the shop]. Everything was crashing left, right and center, and of course, me and everyone else inside the store ran outside.

She said that after the big earthquake there were several small aftershocks.

“Everyone was helping each other up the hill to higher ground. People were jumping into the back of trucks. The army was already in town.”

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) said the Vanuatu High Commission building suffered “serious damage” after the earthquake.

“There are 45 New Zealanders registered with SafeTravel as being based in Vanuatu, although we expect there will be more who are not registered.

The ministry said New Zealanders there should follow the advice of authorities and prepare for aftershocks.

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The building also houses the American Embassy.

A US embassy spokesman told CNN: “The US embassy in Port Vila suffered severe damage and is closed until further notice.”

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this earthquake and the U.S. government will work closely with our partners in Vanuatu.”

7.4 Earthquake damage in Vanuatu. December 17, 2024 #earthquake #earthquake #earthquake pic.twitter.com/8n6z0QEaQe

– Daily Disasters (@DisastersAndI) December 17, 2024

The earthquake triggered a tsunami threat, which passed after initial waves of about 25 cm reached the coast of Port Vila.

The seismic event was “unnoticed” in New Zealand.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) confirmed in a statement issued at 3.54pm that there was no threat of a tsunami in New Zealand.

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“NEMA has assessed the information with the assistance of scientific advisors. Based on current information, the preliminary assessment is that the earthquake is unlikely to have triggered a tsunami that would pose a threat to New Zealand.”

Local Michael Thompson made a public appeal on social media, saying several buildings had collapsed across the city.

Thompson said that a major rescue operation is now underway to save people who may have been alive inside the collapsed buildings.

“We need heavy equipment and we need some experienced staff.

“A lot of people are wandering the streets not sure what to do.”

Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said his thoughts – and those of the New Zealand Government – were with the people of Vanuatu following the major earthquake.

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“We are closely monitoring the evolving situation and stand ready to assist,” he wrote on X.

Foreign Minister Winston Peters said the government was monitoring the evolving situation closely and was in contact with New Zealand's High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Nikki Symonds, and her team.

Buildings were destroyed in Port Vila when a 7.4 meter earthquake struck western Vanuatu. Photography/Michael Thompson

A journalist in Port Vila described the quake as a “violent, high-frequency vertical tremor.”

Dan McGarry took to X, saying the tremor lasted 30 seconds, but “about a century in personal time.”

He said that his wife reported seeing a large landslide on the sidewalk road.

“The biggest one I've seen in over 20 years,” he said.

Advertise with NZME. Damage in Port Vila, Vanuatu after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck this afternoon, triggering a tsunami warning. Photography/Tim Cutler

Brian Malby lives in Port Havana and describes the earthquake.

“It was huge, it emptied half my pool, the house leaned over and shook, and the dogs knew it was coming before it hit us.

“It hit me full-on, it was so violent, I'm still getting aftershocks. It was just another big one. Other than that, everything is fine, and a lot of coastal slides, my concern is for the villagers in their metal huts.”

People make their way to higher ground in Port Vila after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck western Vanuatu, triggering a tsunami warning. Photography/Tim Cutler

Vanuatu – 7.4 earthquake shakes Vanuatu. The communities surrounding Efate are affected. pic.twitter.com/HoxJjmBzpJ

— Philip Malsale (@realPhilMalsale) December 17, 2024

The Australian Bureau of Meteorology said there was no threat to Australia from the earthquake.

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