A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake has hit Vanuatu capital of Port Vila causing “considerable damage” to some buildings, as injured people were rushed to hospital.
The quake happened at 12:47 local time, 18 miles west of Port Vila, at a depth of 57 km, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said.
This was followed by a 5.5 magnitude aftershock.
It triggered a tsunami alert for parts of the South Pacific island nation, but officials called off the warning less than two hours later at 2:14pm local time as the threat had passed.
Reports of widespread destruction began to emerge on social media in the hours after the quake, there are unconfirmed reports of at least one death.
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Videos from the scene showed collapsed buildings, landslides blocking roads, cars hit by fallen panels, and injuries being treated outside Vila Central Hospital.
Crowds gathered outside Vila Central Hospital as injured people appeared to be lifted onto stretchers, according to footage shared by the Vanuatu Broadcasting and Television Corporation.
The US embassy in Port Vila is among the damaged buildings with debris strewn around the US embassy’s crest and several windows shattered, according to photographs posted online.
US officials said the building sustained “considerable damage” and will be closed until further notice.