The epicenter of the earthquake was near Port Vila, Vanuatu’s largest city.
A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Tuesday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. TASR reports according to the AP agency and The New Zealand Herald.
The earthquake was at a depth of 57 kilometers and its epicenter was located near Port Vila, Vanuatu’s largest city. Immediately after the earthquake, the area was hit by an aftershock with a magnitude of 5.5. Vanuatu’s websites were down immediately after the earthquake.
The USGS also issued a tsunami warning for some coastal areas of Vanuatu within 300 kilometers of the epicenter. Vanuatu consists of 80 islands with a population of approximately 330,000 people.
Buildings in Port Vila remained damaged as a result of the earthquake. Information about possible victims or injured was not immediately known.
The threat of a tsunami after the earthquake has passed
The threat of a tsunami has passed after a 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu on Tuesday. This was reported by the US National Tsunami Warning Center. However, the earthquake probably claimed lives, triggered landslides and caused damage to bridges and buildings, TASR reports according to the AFP agency.
The earthquake was at a depth of 57 kilometers and its epicenter was located approximately 30 kilometers west of Port Vila, Vanuatu’s largest city. It also claimed an unspecified number of casualties; according to AFP, bodies were seen in the streets of Port Vila.
Immediately after the earthquake, the area was hit by an aftershock with a magnitude of 5.5. Vanuatu’s websites were down immediately after the earthquake.
Vanuatu consists of 80 islands with a population of approximately 330,000 people. As a result of the earthquake, buildings in Port Vila were significantly damaged, including the US and French embassies, reports AFP.
