A magnitude-6 earthquake has struck the Vanuatu islands early this morning after a magnitude-7.3 quake near the capital Port Vila yesterday. 

Rescue efforts are urgently underway to find survivors trapped under the rubble from yesterday’s disaster, which left at least six people dead and caused widespread destruction across the Pacific Island nation. 

Rescue mission footage revealed scenes of devastation yesterday, including crushed vehicles, landslides, and injured victims being carried or stretchered to safety. 

Critical infrastructure, including communication lines and drinking water reservoirs, have been badly damaged as rescue teams scramble to find survivors. 

Port Vila Hospital has been seriously damaged, and tents have been set up outside amid an influx of patients and grave fears the death toll is expected to rise.

The situation has been compounded by a magnitude-6 earthquake recorded by Geoscience Australia this morning. 

‘Immediate response efforts are ongoing as humanitarian partners and authorities work to overcome access and communication challenges,’ the UN’s Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said in a situation update. 

More than 116,000 people are estimated to be affected by the quake, with Australia sending search and rescue teams, along with medical personnel to help with recovery efforts.

At least one person is dead after a 7.3 magnitude earthquake caused major damage in Port Vila, Vanuatu

Dozens of vehicles were crushed by collapsed buildings

Jo-Anna and Tim Kafer, Australian residents living in a remote village in Vanuatu, shared their firsthand account of yesterday’s earthquake. 

‘We’ve lived here for six years and this was by far the biggest earthquake we’ve had,’ she told News Breakfast. 

‘I was watching my house jumping up and down, I stood there in shock and then I thought to dive under the table which is a strong table,’ Jo-Anna said.

‘And then I watched as my bookcase, which is chained to the top of the wall, danced away on the ground…and everything just fell to the ground.

Her husband was outside when the earthquake struck.

‘I heard this noise and I thought it was like an earthquake coming and next, all the ground is doing that we believe wobbly waves,’ he said.

‘I had trouble standing up and walking towards the house was very, very difficult.

‘All I could hear was the house banging and crashing.’

Broadcaster VBTC has reported a number of destroyed buildings, some of which have fallen on and crumpled cars.

Vanuatu’s caretaker Prime Minister Charlot Salawi declared a seven-day state of emergency on Wednesday morning. 

It includes a curfew from 6pm to 6am. 

Foreign Minister Penny Wong confirmed that the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade is assisting Australians in Vanuatu.

‘DFAT is aware of a number of Australians present in the affected region and is providing consular assistance to those in need,’ a statement from the minister’s office said.

‘Australians in need of emergency consular assistance should contact the Australian Government 24-hour Consular Emergency Centre (+61 6 261 3305 from overseas or 1300 555 135 in Australia).’