The magnitude 7.4 earthquake that struck off the coast of Vanuatu the previous day has taken a heavy toll on the nation. The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies said at least 14 people were killed and about 200 more were injured, officials said Wednesday, a figure expected to rise.
Some providers began restoring phone service on Wednesday. Internet service had not resumed.
The quake struck at a depth of 57 kilometres and was centred 30 kilometres west of Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, a group of 80 islands home to about 330,000 people. A tsunami warning was issued less than two hours after the quake, which was followed by strong aftershocks.
The main hospital recorded four deaths, six from a landslide and four from building collapse, a government statement said, but the number was expected to rise. More than 200 injured people have been treated at Vila’s central hospital.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, some 116,000 people have been affected by the natural disaster.
