M 7.3 Vanuatu Earthquake Kills 6 People, Susulant Shock Continues

JAKARTA - An earthquake measuring magnitude (M) 7.3 that hit off the coast of Vanuatu claimed six people who died and many others were injured.

An earthquake with a depth of 35 miles and a center of 18 miles west of Port Villa, the capital Vanuatu, occurred just before 1 p.m. on Tuesday 17 December.

The tsunami warning was announced, but was lifted less than two hours after the earthquake.

Citing CBN News, the follow-up M 5.5 had occurred near the same location, with the tremors continuing throughout the afternoon until tonight.

It is still unknown how much damage caused by the government's telephone network and website.

However, the head of the International Federation of the Pacific Red Cross, Katie Greenwood, said a number of buildings were collapsed and hospitals in the capital were damaged. Such as the buildings of the United States, UK, French and New Zealand Embassys in Pork Vila were badly damaged.

AP reported that Vanuatu had adequate equipment to deal with natural disasters that claimed many victims. Doctors at the emergency health care center are said to continue to move to deal with earthquake victims.

Meanwhile, the video shared by Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation shows a crowd of people outside the hospital.

The Vanuatu Department of Geology informed that its natural disaster hazard monitoring system was inactive due to power outages.

For the time being, the people of Vanuatu are asked to stay away from the coastline for at least 24 hours, until the tsunami monitoring system and the earthquake operate again.