Vanuatu earthquake death toll rises to 14 as rescuers search for survivors | Earthquake news

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs says that a third of the population was affected by the 7.3-magnitude earthquake.

Rescuers in Vanuatu are racing to find survivors of a powerful earthquake that has killed at least 14 people in the Pacific nation.

A 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck the capital, Port Vila, on Tuesday, reducing buildings to rubble, causing landslides, and destroying energy and communications infrastructure.

Katie Greenwood, president of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies in the Asia-Pacific region, said on Wednesday that authorities had reported 14 confirmed deaths, while another 200 were being treated for injuries at the main hospital in Port Vila.

Dan McGarry, a Canadian-born journalist who has lived in Vanuatu for more than 20 years, said it was a “reasonable expectation” that the death toll would rise further.

“I am concerned that the number will rise and the government expects the number of victims, if not the death toll, to rise,” McGarry told Al Jazeera.

Rescuers are searching for people who may be trapped under rubble or debris, McGarry said.

“We also have people who may have been trapped under a very large landslide near our international shipping terminal. “We know that there have been six deaths confirmed so far in that area,” he added.

Australia and New Zealand announced the deployment of medical and rescue teams starting Wednesday to provide assistance.

“Australia stands with the people of Vanuatu in the wake of yesterday’s devastating earthquake. We extend our deepest sympathies to the people of this wonderful and beautiful country, especially after the tragic loss of life there,” Australian Treasurer Jim Chalmers said at a press conference on Wednesday.

He added: “We know from initial reports that significant damage occurred there, and at the request of the Vanuatu government, we are sending immediate aid today.”

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said it estimated that about a third of the archipelago's population of about 335,000 people were affected by the worst effects of the earthquake.

“Communications remain disrupted and impact the timeliness of field reports from remote areas,” the UN office said in a situation update.

“Access to the airport and waterport is severely limited due to damage to roads. Key immediate needs include healthcare support, shelter, access to clean water, and restoring emergency communications.

Michael Thompson, an Australian citizen who runs a zipline adventure company in Vanuatu, said in a Facebook post that he was helping with rescue efforts and that three people had been found alive under the rubble overnight.

“Amazing displays of bravery as people entered confined spaces to perform rescue operations,” Thompson wrote.

A complex housing the diplomatic missions of Britain, France, New Zealand and the United States was among the buildings that suffered severe damage, as part of the building collapsed and the first floor was leveled to the ground.

McGarry said the toll of the disaster will be felt by almost everyone in the archipelago because of its close-knit community.

“Everyone knows everyone, so the human toll we feel is very intense here. Maybe more than other places,” McGarry said.

However, McGarry said people in Vanuatu have extensive experience dealing with natural disasters such as cyclones, and are largely calm despite the human toll.

“The general mood here was very positive despite the casualties,” he added. “People are very cooperative and patient with each other,” McGarry said.

“The Vanuatu community continues to have a very strong spirit of cooperation,” he added.

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