18 Dec 2024 | 07:24 AM UTC
Vanuatu: State of emergency, curfew declared as of Dec. 18 following magnitude-7.3 offshore earthquake /update 5
State of emergency, curfew declared as of Dec. 18 after magnitude-7.3 earthquake near Port Vila, Vanuatu. Significant disruptions persist.
As of Dec. 18, a national disaster committee has declared a state of emergency and imposed a curfew 18:00-06:00 following a magnitude-7.3 offshore earthquake at around 12:47 Dec. 17. The curfew will last through Dec. 24; an extension of emergency measures is possible. The International Federation of Red Cross Pacific confirmed early Dec. 18 at least 14 fatalities, including two Chinese nationals, and 200 others injured. Several buildings have collapsed in Port Vila, including a compound hosting several foreign consulates; at least three people were trapped in a collapsed building. The structure of the Port Vila hospital building has been impacted, and triage tents have been set up outside the hospital. Landslides and other debris block several roads and bridges, preventing access to the main seaport and Bauerfield International Airport (VLI). The port is closed, while VLI is closed to commercial flights but remains operational for rescue operations. The country's two main water reservoirs have also been damaged, exacerbating water outages. Power and telecommunication outages are hampering response efforts and are delaying the confirmation of damage reports; only the Star Link internet connection is operational. It will likely take some time before the full impact of the earthquake is known, especially in remote areas. An increase in the casualty figures and further reports of damage are likely to be confirmed as rescue efforts continue.
The earthquake's epicenter was in the Coral Sea, about 30 km (19 miles) west of Port Vila, at a depth of about 43 km (27 miles). Tsunami warnings were initially issued for coastal areas following the tremor but were rescinded within two hours. However, the Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department has warned people to keep clear of the coastline through at least Dec. 18 as tsunami monitoring equipment is not functioning due to power outages.
At least 14 aftershocks have occurred since the initial earthquake. Aftershocks are likely to continue over the coming days, and further shaking may cause additional damage to weakened structures and power and water supply infrastructure. Disruptions to road travel may persist for several days as officials repair and clear blocked routes.
Plan accordingly for aftershocks. Consider vacating multistory buildings if operating in affected areas until authorities confirm their structural integrity. Allow additional time for air and road travel, as aftershocks may prompt brief disruptions. Charge all communication and portable electronic devices when possible. Minimize nonessential water use throughout the outage. Use only bottled water from reputable suppliers for drinking and hygienic purposes. Seek updated information on road conditions before driving in hilly areas in the affected region due to potential landslides.
