Vanuatu earthquake: death toll expected to rise as second quake plunges nation into state of emergency

A second earthquake has struck Vanuatu, as the death toll from Tuesday’s deadly quake rose and an international search and rescue operation got underway.

With communications down, the official death toll was not yet known. But at least 14 people were reportedly killed and 200 have been treated for injuries, according to Katie Greenwood, a Fiji-based regional head of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, citing the government.

While the full extent of the devastation in Vanuatu remains unclear, Australia is among the countries deploying assistance to the earthquake-struck Pacific nation, which has been placed in a seven-day state of emergency by the caretaker prime minister, Charlot Salwai.

New Zealand deputy prime minister Winston Peters said on Wednesday that the country was on standby to provide medical, defence and humanitarian assistance to Vanuatu.

“A New Zealand military surveillance plane is due to fly above Vanuatu this morning, to help assess the damage caused by the earthquake,” Peters said. “We are also offering to send an urban search and rescue team and relief supplies to Vanuatu later today, once the airport in Port Vila has reopened.”

Speaking to RNZ, Peters said it was critical New Zealand and other countries stepped up to help. “[Vanuatu] is part of our blue pacific continent neighbourhood … so let’s see what we can do.”

Posting on X, New Zealand’s prime minister, Christopher Luxon, said his thoughts were with the people of Vanuatu. “We are monitoring the developing situation closely and stand ready to help,” he said.

At lunchtime on Tuesday, a 7.3 magnitude quake rattled Port Vila for 30 seconds, causing destruction in the capital.

A second quake of magnitude 5.5 struck on Wednesday morning, the German Research Center for Geosciences said.

Many photos on social media show collapsed buildings, one with crumpled cars underneath.

“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,” Dan McGarry, a journalist said.

“But people are pulling together as only Vanuatu knows how. We will get through this. We always do.”

Those that were able to communicate with the outside world were largely able to do so through Starlink, including McGarry.

“I know of one fatality according to police stationed at Port Vila central hospital, and I saw with my own eyes three others on gurneys … I’m expecting the casualty figure to rise,” he said about three hours after the earthquake.

McGarry has documented landslips around the capital, including a major blockage of a key road near the country’s chief international port, in addition to destruction of buildings.

Penny Wong, Australia’s foreign minister, said the government was preparing to deploy immediate assistance to Vanuatu today.

Speaking in London, she said Australia would be sending emergency medical teams and urban search and rescue units to the island. A helpline has been set up to help Australians who could be caught up in the disaster.

“We will provide whatever assistance is required. I say to the people of Vanuatu, you are family and Australia is here to help,” she said.

A building housing the United States, United Kingdom, French and New Zealand diplomatic posts was among the worst hit, with the bottom floor of the US embassy crushed by the above floors.

There are 58 New Zealanders registered as being in Vanuatu, but there could be more who are not registered, a Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade spokesperson told news outlet Stuff.

The ministry was not aware of any New Zealanders injured or killed in the disaster, but two ministry staff members remain unaccounted for, they said. Peters confirmed the locally employed staff members were not inside the New Zealand High Commission building – which suffered significant damage – at the time of the quake.

“Many victims in the country, flights suspended, communications cut, no water or electricity, we are organising relief,” the French ambassador to Vanuatu and Solomon Islands, Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer, posted on social media.

In a broadcast by news outlet VBTC, caretaker prime minister Salwai issued a state of emergency for seven days, and instituted a curfew – except for essential services – from 6pm to 6am.

More than 80 islands make up Vanuatu, and it is also unclear how the 350,000-strong population is faring in towns and settlements outside the capital.

Jeangene Vilmer said France was working with Australia and New Zealand to co-ordinate the disaster response.

The disaster has also occurred at a moment of political turmoil in the Melanesian country.

Salwai dissolved parliament last month, setting the stage for a snap election on 14 January, only for opposition MPs to mount a constitutional challenge to his move.

While a first case was dismissed by the supreme court last week, the former prime minister Ishmael Kalsakau has announced they are appealing that judgment – which was due to be heard before Christmas.

– with Australian Associated Press and Reuters