Vanuatu has begun a week-long state of emergency and a clean-up that will take far longer, following an earthquake that has killed at least 14 people.
Rescue efforts are underway from Tuesday's 7.3 magnitude tremor, with infrastructure and communication breakdowns still hampering a full assessment of damage.
In the capital Port Vila, which was shaken violently for 30 seconds in the Pacific nation's strongest earthquake this century, there is destruction.
Katie Greenwood, the Red Cross' Pacific head, said the Vanuatu government confirmed a death toll of 14 and at least 200 injuries.Â
Vanuatu Government is reporting 14 confirmed fatalities and 200 treated for injuries at main hospital in Port Vila. Local humanitarian network activated and — Katie Greenwood (@KatiegIFRC) @vanuaturedcross leads the Shelter response with Government and support from @ifrcDecember 17, 2024
Australians are not among the dead, according to Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles, although some have been injured.
"There are, you know, small scrapes and the like which are being handled," he told ABC News.
Reuters has reported that two Chinese nationals have been killed.
AAP can confirm another is a 26-year-old woman who had finished a nine-month stint as a seasonal worker in Queensland to head home for Christmas, identified by her former boss as Valerie.
"It's tragedy. Twenty-six years of age, a single mother only went home three days ago. It's an absolute tragedy and our team's been really rattled by it," Icomply chief executive Rodney Prestia told AAP.
Broadcaster VBTC and social media media users have shown collapsed buildings in the capital, large cracks in roads and landslips which have cut off key routes.
Vanuatu Police Commissioner Robson Iavro said there were three people trapped in a Port Vila building.
"We believe there are more stuck inside," Mr Iavro said.
Buildings in Port Vila sustained major structural damage, officials say. (EPA PHOTO)
A diplomatic hub housing the US, UK, French and New Zealand diplomatic posts has partially collapsed, but all nations have reported their staff to be safe.
"Many victims in the country, flights suspended, communications cut, no water or electricity, we are organising relief," French ambassador to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer, posted on social media.
Très fort tremblement de terre au Vanuatu, ambassade détruite (déchirée en 2, rez-de-chaussée ambassade 🇺🇸 écrasée), personnel sain et sauf mais nombreuses victimes dans le pays, vols suspendus, comm coupées, ni eau ni électricité, organisons secours 🇫🇷🇦🇺🇳🇿., num urgence à venir — Jean-Baptiste Jeangène Vilmer (@jeangene_vilmer) pic.twitter.com/IZjr2VjVGuDecember 17, 2024
Caretaker Prime Minister Charlot Salwai issued a state of emergency for seven days, and instituted an overnight curfew - except for essential services - from 6pm to 6am.
Those communicating with the outside world were largely able to do so through Starlink, including long-term Vanuatu journalist Dan McGarry.
Mr McGarry was the first to report loss of life from Port Vila, fearing a "mass casualty event".
"People died and many more were hurt. Some have lost their home, and many will find it hard to get back to work. Repairs will likely stretch for years, as they always do in the wake of disaster," Mr McGarry posted on X.
"But people are pulling together as only Vanuatu knows how. We will get through this. We always do."
Power and water was gradually being restored through the capital on Wednesday.
Vannuatu is made up of more than 80 islands, and it is unclear how the 350,000-strong population is faring in towns and settlements outside Port Vila.
Australia sent planes to survey the damage in the morning, and were due to bring relief later in the day, as well as medical and urban search and rescue teams.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong called the disaster a "dreadful tragedy" and with acting Pacific Minister Matt Keogh, said Australia would be rushing to its neighbour's aid.
Australians are thinking of our friends and neighbours in Vanuatu after the devastating earthquake that struck their home this afternoon. We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to assist the people of Vanuatu in any way we can.— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) December 17, 2024
Mr Jeangene Vilmer said France had brought a military helicopter from nearby New Caledonia with communications and engineering support, and was working with Australia and New Zealand to co-ordinate the response.Â
The disaster has occurred at a moment of political turmoil in the Melanesian nation.
Mr Salwai dissolved parliament last month, setting the stage for a snap election on January 14, only for opposition MPs to mount a constitutional challenge to the move.
While a first case was dismissed by the Supreme Court last week, former prime minister Ishmael Kalsakau announced they are appealing that judgment - which was due to be heard before Christmas.
with reuters