A 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit Vanuatu on Tuesday (17), damaging several buildings, causing communication disruptions and destroying vehicles. Red Cross members said, citing government sources, that 14 people had died and another 200 had received medical attention.
China’s ambassador to Vanuatu told state broadcaster CCTV that two Chinese citizens died from the tremors.
The earthquake occurred 30 kilometers west of the capital, at a depth of about 57 kilometers just after noon local time, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
There were 14 aftershocks of magnitude 4 or greater, according to the USGS.
Embassies in Vanuatu are damaged
A complex in the capital Port Vila that is home to diplomatic missions from Western nations, including the United States, was among the damaged buildings.
Several videos posted on social media and geolocated by CNN showed damage to a red and blue building that houses the embassies of the US and other countries.
A section of the ground floor appears to have partially collapsed, with debris scattered around the US embassy crest and several broken windows.
“All personnel at the US embassy building in Vanuatu are safe and accounted for. Although the US embassy sustained significant damage, all personnel were able to evacuate the building safely,” the US embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, reported in an update on X.
The New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed to CNN that the building also houses its High Commission office and the French and UK embassies, stating that it had “suffered significant damage”.
This content was originally published in Earthquake in Vanuatu damaged US, French and UK embassies on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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