Fijians struggle for updates as Qereqeretabua pledges continued efforts to get information

As Fijians try to contact their loved ones amid connectivity issues in Vanuatu following a 7.3 earthquake in Port Vila earlier this afternoon, Assistant Minister for Foreign Affairs Lenora Qereqeretabua says they are doing their best to get in touch with Fijians.

There is still no information on the impact on the Fijian community.

While speaking to fijivillage News, Qereqeretabua says they know there are many Fijians, both children and adults in Port Vila.

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She says communication is very hard to come by.

Qereqeretabua says they stand with their Vanuatu wantok and adds the Prime Minister will lead the charge for assistance when we get more news and we know how we can help our brothers and sisters in Vanuatu.

However, there is some hope as people have been able to get online through Starlink.

While speaking to fijivillage News, local journalist, Dan McGarry says he is unsure if connectivity has been cut off by the authorities or if it is due to the damage sustained.

When asked about Fijians in Port Vila, he says it's really hard to say right now but the majority of people are shaken but unhurt.

He further says there is evidence of a series of landslides in the area joining the road and the wharf to the capital.

McGarry says the Vanuatu Mobile Force is on the road and moving people into position and paramedics are responding as well.

He says they do not have a decent casualty figure yet but believes the number will increase from the one dead and several injured that has been seen so far.