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December 18, 2024 | 12:49 pm
TEMPO.CO, Jakarta - Vanuatu was struck by a powerful 7.4-magnitude earthquake on December 17 at 12:51 local time, causing severe damage in the capital Port Villa and resulting in fatalities. As of December 18, 2024, authorities reported 14 fatalities and over 200 injuries.
The Indonesian Embassy in Canberra, which is accredited to Vanuatu, has been coordinating with local authorities and communicating with Indonesian citizens residing in the country. To date, there have been no reports of Indonesian citizens among the victims of the disaster.
The Embassy confirmed the presence of 48 Indonesian citizens in Vanuatu, primarily working as ship's crew. The Indonesian Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy in Canberra have assured that they will continue to closely monitor the situation and provide necessary assistance.
The powerful quake caused "quite severe damage" to numerous buildings in Port Vila, including a joint diplomatic mission building. The US Geological Survey (USGS) located the epicenter 30 kilometers west of the capital, with a depth of 43 kilometers.
Reports from the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) indicate at least one fatality and the establishment of mass triage centers at a local hospital. Reuters reported that the United Nations initially stated six deaths due to the quake, although this has not been officially confirmed.
Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong acknowledged the significant damage and announced the deployment of assistance, including urban search and rescue and emergency medical teams. Vanuatu's High Commission in Canberra reported the closure of Port Vila's international airport.
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that 116,000 people were affected by the earthquake. The Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation shared footage of residents carrying injured individuals on stretchers outside Vila Central Hospital. Disruptions to communication lines and government websites hindered the initial assessment of damage, but widespread reports of destruction began to surface on social media in the hours following the quake.
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