Vanuatu Shaken Again: Aftershock Hits as Nation Struggles to Recover from Quake Devastation

A 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu's main island early Sunday, causing buildings to shake but fortunately not leading to significant damage, just days after a more powerful 7.3-magnitude quake devastated the region. The latest tremor occurred at a depth of 40 kilometers (25 miles) and was centered approximately 30 kilometers west of the capital, Port Vila, which has been dealing with a series of aftershocks since the initial quake on December 17. Residents, still grappling with the aftermath of the deadly earthquake that left at least 12 people dead and injured over 200, reported feeling the latest quake's tremors. Port Vila businessman Michael Thompson shared his experience, describing the shake as substantial but not comparable to the primary quake, which caused extreme dislocation of structures. "It gave a better bit of a shake and the windows rattled a little bit; it would have caused houses to rattle," Thompson noted, highlighting the relative mildness of this latest event as merely an aftershock. The earlier quake's devastation has led to ongoing challenges, including a death toll that remains at 12, according to government figures reported by the United Nations. In addition to the fatalities, 210 people were injured, and 1,698 individuals have been temporarily displaced from their homes. The disaster has critically impacted the country’s communication infrastructure, with mobile networks down, complicating both rescue efforts and outside contact. In light of the devastation, Vanuatu declared a seven-day state of emergency and implemented a night curfew following the initial quake. While efforts to restore normalcy began, including lifting a suspension on commercial flights to revive the vital tourism sector, the challenges remain significant. Rescue teams from Australia and New Zealand have deployed over 100 personnel to aid in recovery and search for trapped survivors. Reports indicate that many buildings have completely collapsed, complicating rescue operations. Thompson mentioned that while power was restored to his residence, many in the area were still without electricity. As the community begins to recover, businesses like supermarkets are attempting to reopen amidst ongoing infrastructure challenges. He emphasized the unique nature of the damage caused by earthquakes compared to cyclones, noting that while cyclones tend to destroy external structures, earthquakes often compromise internal infrastructure. Vanuatu, with a population of around 320,000, is situated in the Pacific’s quake-prone Ring of Fire, making it particularly vulnerable to seismic activity. The recent events have underscored the urgent need for effective disaster management strategies and support for recovery efforts as the nation grapples with the dual challenges of natural disasters and rebuilding their lives.