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17 hours ago
Kelly Ng BBC News
A 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck near Vanuatu's capital Port Vila, triggering landslides, crushing cars and flattening multiple buildings, including a complex that is home to a number of Western embassies.
There are unconfirmed reports of deaths but the full extent of the damage remains unclear, as power and mobile networks across the country remain cut off. ...
The quake struck at 12:47 local time (01:47 GMT) on Tuesday.
"Emergency services are going to be busy for a while. We have limited equipment and capabilities here," Mr McGarry said, adding that police at the Vila Central Hospital had told him one person had died, and the number of deaths was expected to rise.
One of the clips from state broadcaster VBTC's Facebook page showed dozens of people outside the Vila Central Hospital, many lying on hospital gurneys awaiting treatment.
Michael Thompson, director of the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline adventure company, told AFP news agency that he had seen bodies lying in the streets. ...
Western embassies among those damaged
The United States Embassy, the British High Commission, the French Embassy and the New Zealand High Commission were among damaged buildings housed in the same complex.
US officials said the building sustained "considerable damage" and would be closed until further notice. All staff in the building had safely evacuated, they added. ...
Separately, several Australian airlines have also cancelled flights into Port Vila, citing damage at the airport. ...
Kelly Ng BBC News
A 7.3 magnitude earthquake has struck near Vanuatu's capital Port Vila, triggering landslides, crushing cars and flattening multiple buildings, including a complex that is home to a number of Western embassies.
There are unconfirmed reports of deaths but the full extent of the damage remains unclear, as power and mobile networks across the country remain cut off. ...
The quake struck at 12:47 local time (01:47 GMT) on Tuesday.
"Emergency services are going to be busy for a while. We have limited equipment and capabilities here," Mr McGarry said, adding that police at the Vila Central Hospital had told him one person had died, and the number of deaths was expected to rise.
One of the clips from state broadcaster VBTC's Facebook page showed dozens of people outside the Vila Central Hospital, many lying on hospital gurneys awaiting treatment.
Michael Thompson, director of the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline adventure company, told AFP news agency that he had seen bodies lying in the streets. ...
Western embassies among those damaged
The United States Embassy, the British High Commission, the French Embassy and the New Zealand High Commission were among damaged buildings housed in the same complex.
US officials said the building sustained "considerable damage" and would be closed until further notice. All staff in the building had safely evacuated, they added. ...
Separately, several Australian airlines have also cancelled flights into Port Vila, citing damage at the airport. ...
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