As getting in touch with family in Vanuatu is still difficult following the magnitude 7.3 earthquake yesterday, Fijians in Port Vila have been able to get some information out through social media.
Maseikula Niumataiwalu who lives in Port Vila, in a facebook post says they are safe, apart from a few scratches.
He says his family spent the night at a friend’s place as their place is right by the water and there might still be a risk of a tsunami.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to give an update on Fijian nationals in Vanuatu due to connectivity issues.
People have been able to get online through Starlink and satellite phones.
Port Vila resident, Micheal Thompson who is part of the rescue efforts and has been providing updates on the situation says internet cable is good but server racks and power supply was damaged.
He says the communications team is currently working on getting the landing station for the fibre cable up and running.
Vodafone Vanuatu says their technical team has successfully restored international voice services but are working to resolve their internet services.
They say this means that family members and loved ones overseas can now reconnect and call Vanuatu without any interruptions.
Digicel has yet to provide an update on their services but people within Vanuatu have been able to call each other while on the Digicel network.
Meanwhile, Vanuatu has been rocked by a second 6.1 magnitude earthquake this morning.
At least 14 people have died and hundreds are injured, according to the Red Cross.
National broadcaster VBTC showed footage of vehicles crushed under the debris of collapsed buildings and boulders strewn across a highway.
Drone footage showed landslips near a shipping terminal.
Caretaker Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai, declared a state of emergency and said a curfew would be imposed for seven days in the worst affected areas.
International assistance has been requested.
Source: sbs.com.au
The 7.3 magnitude earthquake, which struck at a depth of 57km, occurred 30km to the west of the capital Port Vila at 1.47pm, according to the US Geological Survey.
The death toll in Vanuatu has risen to fourteen following the 7.3 magnitude earthquake yesterday.
Reports say more than 200 people have been treated for injuries
Port Vila resident Michael Thompson says rescue crews were seen pulling three people alive, though injured, from a collapsed building and this has offered hope to search and rescue volunteers.
Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says Fiji stands ready to assist its Pacific neighbor in the aftermath of the devastating 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck earlier yesterday.
He says Fiji is prepared to provide support wherever needed to help Vanuatu recover from the tragedy.
He says he extends his sincere condolences to the families who have lost their loved ones, and wishes those injured a quick recovery.
He commended the first responders, volunteer organizations, and religious groups for their tireless efforts in rescue and evacuation operations.
For Fijian nationals residing in Vanuatu, who wish to make contact with the National Disaster Management Office can contact on 7239028 or email address at neocfiji@gmail.com
As Fijians try to contact their loved ones amid connectivity issues in Vanuatu following a 7.3 earthquake in Port Vila yesterday, 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.
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.
Reports are coming through that there is a confirmed death after the earthquake in Vanuatu’s capital, Port Vila.
Local journalist, Dan McGarry confirms that that there has been at least one death.
He says a triage centre had been set up outside the emergency ward of Vila Central Hospital.
McGarry says he saw three people seriously injured on gurneys waiting treatment.
The 7.3 magnitude earthquake, which struck at a depth of 57km, occurred 30km to the west of the capital Port Vila at 1.47pm, according to the US Geological Survey.
The region was hit by a 5.5 magnitude aftershock six minutes later.
Vanuatu government websites were offline in the aftermath of the quake.
A video posted on social media appeared to show a building housing some diplomatic missions to Vanuatu — including those of New Zealand, Britain and France — with damage to the structure, including buckled window frames and debris that had crumbled from walls to the ground.
In a video posted to Facebook, Michael Thompson gave an account of the aftermath in Port Vila.
He said there's multiple buildings that have come down around town.
Photo:VBTC
Thompson said he is able to access Facebook via Starlink.
A tsunami watch was issued for Fiji however this has been cancelled.
Photo:VBTC
There was no tsunami warning issued for Fiji.
Source : NZ One News
A tsunami watch earlier in place for all coastal low lying areas of Fiji following a magnitude 7.4 earthquake in Vanuatu has been cancelled and there is no tsunami warning in place for Fiji.
The ABC reports tsunami waves have been observed in Vanuatu.
The quake struck 37km from Port Vila, at a depth of 10km at 1.53pm.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre says tsunami waves had been observed, and predicted waves of up to 1 metre along some parts of the Vanuatu's coastline.
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