The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) confirmed the earthquake’s strength, and officials issued tsunami warnings for coastal areas within hundreds of miles of the epicenter. Hazardous waves did not materialize, but the quake’s devastation was extensive.
This photo shows a general view of a severely damaged building housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images) ( )The U.S. Embassy in Vanuatu reported considerable damage to its facility and announced its closure until further notice. In a statement posted on X, embassy officials confirmed all personnel were safe and had evacuated the building before it sustained severe structural damage."All embassy staff are safe and accounted for," the statement read. "Although our facility sustained significant damage, everyone was able to evacuate safely."The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) also reported damage to its regional facilities and the local airport, which disrupted flights to and from the island.
Several aftershocks, including one measuring magnitude 5.5, rattled the region. First responders are currently searching through rubble for survivors, with emergency teams working to assist injured residents and assess the full scale of the destruction.
This photo shows a general view of a severely damaged building housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images) ( )The U.S. Embassy in Vanuatu reported considerable damage to its facility and announced its closure until further notice. In a statement posted on X, embassy officials confirmed all personnel were safe and had evacuated the building before it sustained severe structural damage."All embassy staff are safe and accounted for," the statement read. "Although our facility sustained significant damage, everyone was able to evacuate safely."The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) also reported damage to its regional facilities and the local airport, which disrupted flights to and from the island.Several aftershocks, including one measuring magnitude 5.5, rattled the region. First responders are currently searching through rubble for survivors, with emergency teams working to assist injured residents and assess the full scale of the destruction.
