A 6.1 magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu’s main island early Sunday, rattling buildings but causing no significant damage, just days after a deadly quake claimed 12 lives. The latest tremor hit at a depth of 40 kilometers (25 miles) and was centered 30 kilometers west of the capital, Port Vila.
This comes after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake on Tuesday that devastated the capital, toppling concrete buildings and triggering landslides.
The recent quake, which occurred at 2:30 am local time (1530 GMT Saturday), did not trigger a tsunami warning. Local businessman Michael Thompson reported feeling the shake but noted that it was much less intense than the earlier quake, describing it as a strong aftershock. He mentioned no signs of further damage in his area.
Communications remain disrupted from the previous quake, and mobile networks are still down, complicating contact with the outside world. The initial earthquake damaged water supplies and halted operations at the capital’s main port. In response, the government declared a seven-day state of emergency and imposed a curfew, while also lifting a suspension on commercial flights in an effort to revitalize the vital tourism industry.
Rescue operations continue, with Australia and New Zealand sending over 100 personnel to assist with the search for survivors and emergency repairs. Several major collapse sites have been found, with rescue teams expanding their efforts beyond the capital.
More than 1,000 people were displaced by the earlier quake, with many seeking refuge with other households or in evacuation centers. While power has been restored to some areas, many businesses remain closed, and supermarkets are slowly reopening.
Vanuatu, an archipelago of approximately 320,000 people, is located in the Pacific’s earthquake-prone Ring of Fire. Tourism is a crucial part of its economy, contributing about a third of the nation’s GDP.
