Magnitude 7.3 earthquake hits Vanuatu
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Magnitude 7.3 earthquake hits Vanuatu

Posted on by Amelia Pressman

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

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

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

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

(FOX Weather)

According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake struck just offshore west of the capital Port Vila, prompting authorities to issue tsunami warnings, which were eventually lifted.

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

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

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

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

    This photo shows a general view of a heavily damaged building housing the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand embassies after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024 on the Pacific island Vanuatu saw buildings destroyed in the capital Port Vila on December 17, including one housing the US and other embassies. A witness told AFP about bodies being seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)
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  • Rescue workers are seen at the site of a collapsed building after a strong earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake struck the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, destroying buildings in the port of the capital Vila, including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city became. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

    Rescue workers are seen at the site of a collapsed building after a strong earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake struck the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, destroying buildings in the port of the capital Vila, including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city became. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)
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  • This photo shows a general view of a heavily damaged building housing the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand embassies after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024 on the Pacific island Vanuatu saw buildings destroyed in the capital Port Vila on December 17, including one housing the US and other embassies. A witness told AFP about bodies being seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

    This photo shows a general view of a heavily damaged building housing the United States, United Kingdom and New Zealand embassies after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024 on the Pacific island Vanuatu saw buildings destroyed in the capital Port Vila on December 17, including one housing the US and other embassies. A witness told AFP about bodies being seen in the city. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)
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  • Rescue workers are seen at the site of a collapsed building after a strong earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024. A powerful earthquake struck the Pacific island of Vanuatu on December 17, destroying buildings in the port of the capital Vila, including one housing the US and other embassies, with a witness telling AFP of bodies seen in the city became. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by STR/AFP via Getty Images)

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

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

“All staff who were at the US Embassy building in Vanuatu are safe and will be accounted for,” officials said on X. “While the US Embassy building sustained significant damage, all staff 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 people who may be trapped.

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