Fears of high death toll as a result of the 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Vanuatu near Port Vila

There are serious concerns that the number of people killed and injured by the 7.3 magnitude earthquake that occurred near Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, could rise significantly.

Warning: This story contains graphic content that may be distressing.

One person reportedly died after the quake struck at 12:47pm AEST on Tuesday, 30 kilometers west of the city.

The US Geological Survey said the quake occurred at a depth of 57 km, although the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Hawaii reported that the quake occurred at a depth of 10 km.

Images of widespread damage were shared online following the earthquake and aftershocks near Port Vila. (AFP: Supplied/Michael Thompson)

Then two aftershocks were recorded in the Pacific Ocean off the coast of Vanuatu. A magnitude 5 shock struck at a depth of 40 kilometers at 2:48pm AEST, followed by a magnitude 5.3 earthquake half an hour later.

The US Tsunami Warning System canceled an initial tsunami warning for Vanuatu.

The Bureau of Meteorology said there was no tsunami threat in Australia.

Dan McGarry, a local journalist, said the quake was a “high-frequency tremor” that lasted for about 30 seconds.

“It was a violent earthquake, more violent than any I have seen in the past 21 years I have lived in Vanuatu,” he said.

McGarry said earlier Tuesday that a police officer had confirmed that one person had died, but then reported in an X post that he had been told that police officers feared there could be multiple deaths and many injured.

McGarry also said a mass casualty triage center had been set up outside the Port Vila Central Hospital emergency ward.

“There were many people, three of them seriously injured, lying on stretchers, and a large number of others… walking around with minor injuries,” he said.

He added: “There are buildings that collapsed in the city center, so I am sure that the number of victims will rise.”

He added that there were also “large-scale landslides” on the road linking Port Vila's pier to the city, and there were initial reports of damage to the runway at the city's airport.

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Images of widespread damage have since emerged from Vanuatu, after large buildings collapsed in Port Vila and power and water were cut off in most parts of the capital.

Eyewitnesses reported large landslides near the capital.

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu on Tuesday afternoon. (Facebook: development mode)

A photo posted on social media showed a landslide near the Port Vila jetty.

An eyewitness named Mark, from Vanuatu Beverage Limited, described seeing a landslide at the Port Vila jetty.

Australian Government Emergency Centre

Australians in Vanuatu affected by the earthquake can contact the 24-hour Consular Emergency Center by calling +61 6261 3305 from overseas or 1300 555 135 from Australia.

“When the earthquake was shaking, I stood next to my truck and felt it was jumping,” he told Vanuatu's national broadcaster VBTC.

“The truck seemed to be moving that way too, but the shaking sent me into the fence… so I ran to the other side.

“I look up the hill, and the ground is going down.

“I saw the entrance to Efira [wharf company]The ground came down and buried a large truck and containers. In front there were trucks buried in stones.”

Video footage posted on social media shows damage to the building that hosts the US and French embassies, and the UK and New Zealand high commissions in Port Vila.

The US Embassy in Port Moresby issued a statement on X saying that the embassy in Port Vila had sustained “significant damage” and was closed until further notice.

She added: “Our thoughts are with all those affected by this earthquake, and the US government will work closely with our partners in Vanuatu.”

A video posted on social media showed the building sustaining some damage, including broken windows and debris falling from the walls to the ground.

Other photos and videos showed items and shelves falling to store floors and landslides that appeared to block some roads.

Buildings throughout Port Vila suffered extensive structural damage after the earthquake and shop shelves and refrigerators collapsed. (AP: Tim Cutler)

Another video shows a building on the city's main street collapsing, crushing vehicles underneath it.

VBTC also posted a video from Port Vila Central Hospital showing Ni-Vanuatu residents carrying people in their arms, and in the back of the body, into the building after the earthquake.

The agency is asking coastal communities to leave homes

Fidel Zepeta, of Vanuatu's National Disaster Management Office, said on Tuesday afternoon that the country was experiencing aftershocks following the major earthquake.

Residents living in coastal areas were asked to evacuate to higher areas.

Live: A 7.4-magnitude earthquake hits the capital of Vanuatu, Port Vila

A 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu, 37 kilometers off the coast of Port Vila. A tsunami warning was issued, but has since been removed. Follow Live.

“A precautionary message directed to everyone: please move away from coastal areas to higher ground.”

Members of the public were reportedly heeding advice and were still moving to higher ground in Port Vila as of late afternoon.

The Australian High Commission in Port Vila was evacuated during the earthquake and the Australian Government is still working to urgently ensure all staff are safe.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the Australian government was closely monitoring the situation in Vanuatu in the wake of the earthquake.

Residents of Port Vila moved to higher ground following the earthquake. (FBTK)

She added: “We are ready to support Vanuatu, as the extent of the damage is assessed.”

“Vanuatu is family and we will always be there in times of need.”

Senator Wong said Australians in Vanuatu caught up in the disaster should contact the consular emergency center by calling +61 6261 3305.

She added: “I have no information about the infected Australians.”

“Vanuatu obviously has Australians working there or holidaying there.”

She said Australians working with the High Commission were safe but attempts were still being made to contact some local staff.

Australian High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Max Willis, said in a post on X that Australia is “working closely with the government of Vanuatu on the assistance operation.”

New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister Winston Peters said that the New Zealand government was “deeply concerned” about the earthquake that struck Vanuatu.

“Our thoughts are with the people and authorities of Vanuatu,” he said in a post on X.

The Pacific island nation is still recovering from the impact of three major hurricanes in 2023.

With reports by VBTC

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