Official announcements from the US State Department or the US Embassy in Vanuatu

7.3-Magnitude Earthquake Hits Vanuatu; US Embassy Damaged, Tsunami Warnings Issued

Dec 17, 2024, 03:15 AM

A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu on December 17, 2024, at a depth of 10 km, causing significant damage in the capital city of Port Vila. The earthquake, centered around 30 km west of Port Vila, led to the issuance of tsunami warnings, which were later lifted. Buildings, including those housing the US, French, and New Zealand embassies, sustained considerable damage, with the US Embassy closed until further notice. There are reports of casualties, with bodies seen in the streets following the collapse of bridges and landslides. Internet connectivity across Vanuatu was severely disrupted after the quake. The earthquake was followed by several aftershocks, including a magnitude 5.5 tremor.