PORT VILA, Dec 18, (V7N): Rescue teams in Vanuatu are working tirelessly to find survivors following a devastating 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the Pacific nation on Tuesday, leaving at least 14 people dead and causing widespread destruction.

The earthquake, which hit at 12:47 pm local time (0147 GMT), toppled buildings, triggered landslides, and disrupted vital infrastructure in the island nation of 320,000 people, located along the quake-prone Pacific Rim of Fire.

Desperate Search for Survivors

In the capital, Port Vila, rescuers are racing against time to save people trapped under rubble. Residents reported hearing voices from beneath collapsed buildings, including a flattened three-storey shop.

Michael Thompson, a local resident, described the scene: "We got three people out that were trapped. Unfortunately, one of them did not make it." Rescuers used excavators, jackhammers, and concrete saws to search for survivors.

As of Wednesday morning, rescuers heard signals from three people trapped under heavy rubble and concrete beams. "They are lucky to be in a bit of a void," Thompson said.

Casualties and Damage

According to Vanuatu's disaster management office, the fatalities include four people in Port Vila’s hospital, six in a landslide, and four in the collapsed shop. Two of the deceased were Chinese nationals, confirmed by China’s ambassador to Vanuatu.

The quake caused major structural damage to at least 10 buildings, including Port Vila's main hospital. Bridges, power lines, and water reserves were also damaged, with two critical water supplies completely destroyed.

Port Vila’s main wharf was closed due to a significant landslide, and while the airport is not fully operational, it remains open to humanitarian aid flights.

International Aid and Response

Australia and New Zealand are mobilizing medical teams and search-and-rescue units to assist with the crisis. The UN estimates that approximately 116,000 people may be affected by the earthquake’s worst impacts.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs highlighted ongoing challenges, including intermittent communication and limited access to some areas.

Firsthand Accounts of Devastation

Thompson recounted the immediate aftermath: "When we slowed down with the windows down, we could hear screams coming from inside [the rubble]." He described "apocalyptic scenes," including landslides burying vehicles and widespread destruction across Port Vila.

Video footage showed streets littered with broken glass and debris from collapsed structures. Public television images captured injured individuals outside hospitals, some with bandaged arms and heads, awaiting treatment.

A Nation at Risk

Vanuatu, ranked among the world’s most disaster-prone countries, faces frequent natural calamities including earthquakes, storms, and tsunamis. The latest quake underscores the nation’s vulnerability and the urgent need for enhanced disaster preparedness and resilience.

As rescue efforts continue, the focus remains on saving lives and providing critical aid to affected communities. International support is pouring in to help the island nation recover from this devastating disaster.

END/WD/RH