Two Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade staff members are unaccounted for in Vanuatu after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the island nation, killing at least 14 people.
People have been pulled alive from the rubble of collapsed buildings, overnight, giving hope to search and rescue volunteers.
A MFAT spokesperson said two staff members are unaccounted for following the quake.
“We have been in contact with our High Commissioner in Vanuatu and can confirm we have accounted for all but 2 of our staff,” a spokesperson said.
The death toll climbed to 14 overnight and more than 200 people were treated for injuries, according to the Vanuatu government.
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A major search and rescue operation began yesterday afternoon and continued through the night. Port Vila resident Michael Thompson reported seeing three people pulled alive, but injured, from collapsed buildings by rescue crews.
“[There have been] incredible displays of bravery, with people entering confined spaces to conduct rescues,” he said.
More help is needed, including heavy machinery, to help comb through the rubble of buildings, he said.
In a press conference, Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai said a State of Emergency and curfew were in place in the worst-affected areas.
He said they “urgently request international assistance”.
A New Zealander scrambled to get to higher ground amid the “chaos” in Port Vila as the earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu.
The woman, one of 45 New Zealanders registered in the Pacific nation, was in a store on the waterfront of Fatumaru Bay in Port Vila as the 57km-deep quake levelled buildings in the capital around 2.47pm (NZ time).
“It just went off like nothing I’ve ever experienced before,” the woman, who asked not to be named, told the Herald.
“It’s chaos. In town, there are buildings everywhere, people trapped under rubble.”
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) says its High Commission building in Vanuatu sustained “significant damage” after the quake.
“There are 45 New Zealanders registered on SafeTravel as being in Vanuatu, though we expect there will be more who are not registered.
“New Zealanders there should follow the advice of authorities and be prepared for aftershocks.”
Thompson made a public plea on social media, saying multiple buildings had come down around the city.
Thompson said a big rescue operation was under way to rescue people possibly alive inside collapsed buildings.
“We need heavy equipment and we need some experienced personnel.
“A lot of people [are] walking around the streets just not sure what to do.”
New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon said his thoughts – and the thoughts of the NZ Government – are with the people of Vanuatu after the major earthquake.
“We are monitoring the developing situation closely and stand ready to help,” he wrote on X.
Foreign Affairs Minister Winston Peters said the Government is monitoring the developing situation closely and is in contact with the New Zealand High Commissioner to Vanuatu, Nicci Simmonds, and her team.
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