A 7.4 earthquake occurred in "Area 1"! Footage of numerous building collapses exposed

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake hit Vanuatu, an island country in the southwest Pacific, on December 17. At least 14 people died and 200 were injured. Many buildings collapsed, including: two reservoirs, commercial buildings, hospitals and embassies. It was also reported that There was a power outage and internet outage, and the scene was in chaos.

Image Source: Reuters

According to a report by Reuters, Vanuatu has been experiencing frequent earthquakes in recent days, with two on the 17th alone. A report from the German Geoscience Research Center (GFZ) pointed out that another earthquake with a magnitude of 6.1 occurred on the 18th with a depth of 10 kilometers. Caroline Bird, the manager of a local resort, recalled that aftershocks were so frequent that they were uncountable and could be felt throughout the night.

Image Source: Associated Press

Many people used their mobile phones or drones to take pictures of the tragic scene, where they saw vehicles crushed by collapsed buildings and boulders scattered on the highway; a landslide also occurred near the Port Vila International Shipping Terminal, although some victims were rescued. , but many people are still trapped.

Image Source: Facebook (Michael Thompson)

In order to grab supplies and fuel, many people queued up outside supermarkets and gas stations. Due to the surge in injuries, medical staff at Port Vila Hospital even set up a triage tent outside the door. What is even more shocking is that the first floor of the building where the embassies of the United States, Britain, France and New Zealand are located was instantly hidden beneath the ground because it could not withstand the strong shaking caused by the earthquake.

Image Source: X (@jeangene_vilmer)

Rescue workers are also continuing to rescue the collapsed sites of Billabong House and a Chinese store, trying to push the victims out of trouble.

Afterwards, Red Cross officials confirmed at "X" that the main hospital and other medical centers in the capital of Vanuatu were working hard to treat a large number of injured. At least 14 people died and 200 were injured. Rescue workers will continue to search and rescue. The exact number of casualties Fear of rising again.

Image Source: x.com/timcutler

Katie Greenwood, head of delegation for the Pacific region of the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, said: "Rescue operations continue to rescue people trapped after the earthquake and will Attention turns to emergency needs such as first aid, shelter and water."

Acting Prime Minister Charlot Salwai of Vanuatu declared a state of emergency in the country, established a national disaster committee, imposed a seven-day curfew on the most affected areas, and sought international assistance. The international airport is currently closed. In response, Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong promised that Australia was preparing to deploy assistance; New Zealand also said it would send a plane to check whether it could land in Vanuatu.

Image Source: New Zealand Herald

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimates that the earthquake affected a total of 116,000 people, equivalent to one-third of the population of Vanuatu.