Vanuatu Earthquake: Flash Update No. 1, As of 17 December 2024 – 20:00 local time

Highlights

• A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck 30 km west of Port Vila, Vanuatu, on 17 December 2024, at 12:47 PM local time. A tsunami warning was issued but has since been lifted. Search and rescue operations are ongoing at the time of reporting.

• Preliminary reports indicate observed damages to buildings and infrastructure in Port Vila, with 6 unconfirmed casualties and injuries reported.

• According to UNOSAT initial exposure analysis, an estimate of 116,000 people could be affected by the worst impacts of the earthquake.

• Telecommunications remain disrupted and is affecting the timeliness of field reports from remote areas. Access to the airport and water port is severely limited due to road damage.

• Key immediate needs include healthcare support, shelter, access to clean water, and the restoration of emergency communications. Emergency response efforts are underway, and humanitarian partners are mobilizing to assist the affected population.

• In Port Vila, the general hospital's structure has been affected, with triage tents set up outside to manage the influx of patients.

• The National Security Task Force convened earlier this afternoon to address the emergency, while assessments have identified damage to two main water reservoirs in Vanuatu.

• The Pacific Humanitarian Team (PHT) convened the first meeting to coordinate support to the government-led response. OCHA staff are in already on the ground in Vanuatu and in Fiji.

Situation Overview

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near Port Vila, Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024, at approximately 12:47 PM local time. The epicenter was located about 30 kilometers west of Port Vila at a depth of 57 kilometers. Reports indicate at least 6 unconfirmed deaths, with significant disruptions to telecommunications, leaving authorities unable to establish communication with the National Disaster Management Office (NDMO) and Government officials, until around 6.30 PM local time after Starlink was made available to the NDMO.

A commercial flight from Fiji headed to Vanuatu earlier today was turned back, and airport runways are currently being assessed by New Zealand authorities. Access to and from the airport may be severely restricted due to damaged roads. In Port Vila, the hospital's structural integrity has been compromised, with triage tents set up outside to manage the influx of patients. The operating theatre is non-functional, and overall healthcare capacity is overwhelmed.

The National Security Task Force convened earlier this afternoon to address the emergency, while assessments have identified damage to two main water reservoirs, raising concerns over water supply for affected communities. Immediate response efforts are ongoing as humanitarian partners and authorities work to overcome access and communication challenges.

A tsunami warning was initially issued, predicting waves up to one meter along parts of Vanuatu's coastline. This warning was lifted less than two hours after the quake. Neighboring countries, including Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Solomon Islands, and Tuvalu, were also alerted but reported no significant threats.

As of now, emergency teams are conducting rescue operations, and efforts are underway to restore communications and assess the full impact of the earthquake. Authorities are urging residents to remain vigilant due to the possibility of aftershocks.