Magnitude 7.3 earthquake strikes Vanuatu causing considerable damage to US Embassy

Magnitude 7.3 earthquake strikes Vanuatu causing considerable damage to US Embassy

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Dramatic videos show the moment the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu was rocked by a powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck on Tuesday.

A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the island nation of Vanuatu in the Pacific on Tuesday, causing considerable damage to numerous homes and businesses, including a complex that houses the U.S. Embassy.

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This graphic shows details in the magnitude 7.3 earthquake in Vanuatu.

This graphic shows details in the magnitude 7.3 earthquake in Vanuatu.

(FOX Weather)

The United States Geological Survey (USGS) said the magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck just off the coast to the west of the capital city of Port Vila, prompting officials to issue tsunami warnings that were eventually lifted. 

According to a report from Reuters, at least one person was killed in the earthquake and several others were injured.

  • This photo shows a general view of a severely damaged building housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

    This photo shows a general view of a severely damaged building housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

  • This photo shows a general view of a severely damaged building housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

    This photo shows a general view of a severely damaged building housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

  • This photo shows a general view of a severely damaged building housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

    This photo shows a general view of a severely damaged building housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

  • Rescue workers are seen at the site of a collapsed building after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

    Rescue workers are seen at the site of a collapsed building after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

  • This photo shows a general view of a severely damaged building housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

    This photo shows a general view of a severely damaged building housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

  • Rescue workers are seen at the site of a collapsed building after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

    Rescue workers are seen at the site of a collapsed building after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, smashing buildings in the capital Port Vila including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images) ( )

In a post on X, the Asia Pacific Regional Office of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC) said its facilities and the airport also suffered considerable damage, restricting flights into and out of the country.

Officials at the U.S. Embassy said its facility was also damaged and would remain closed until further notice.

“All personnel who were in the U.S. Embassy building, in Vanuatu, are safe and accounted for,” officials said on X. “While the U.S. Embassy building sustained significant damage, all personnel were able to safely evacuate the building.”

Several aftershocks, including a magnitude 5.5, have been reported, and first responders are searching the rubble of collapsed buildings for anyone who may be trapped.