A mechanic’s workshop shook violently during a devastating 7.3-magnitude earthquake that battered a small South Pacific island state.
The quake hit the Republic of Vanuatu, located about 1,000 miles north of New Zealand, at 12.47 local time today (17 Dec).
The earthquake rocked the country’s capital Port Vila, damaging multiple buildings and triggering landslides.
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At least one person has been reported as killed in the natural disaster, although the death toll is expected to rise.
One flattened building was a complex that housed embassies for the UK, US, France and the New Zealand High Commission.
Power and mobile networks have been cut off in many parts of the island, which is located in the so-called Pacific Ring of Fire.
A video shows the moment the earthquake rocks a mechanic’s workshop on the island.
Workers are seen struggling to keep their balance as vehicles move around and car parts fall to the ground.
Dan McGarry, a journalist living in Port Vila, said the quake felt like the “biggest one” he had felt in over 20 years.
He also stated that he saw “several people who were visibly, seriously injured” outside the city hospital.
He added: “Emergency services are going to be busy for a while, we have limited equipment and capabilities here.”
Michael Thompson, director of the Vanuatu Jungle Zipline company, said: “There are multiple buildings that have come down around town.
“There’s a big rescue operation on the way to clear out people who are possibly alive.
“People in Vanuatu deal with natural disasters on a yearly basis, it’s in our blood.
“We’ll get through this as well, although not without some suffering.”
His wife Amanda added: “I thought the ceiling (of her home) was going to come right down.
“We often have earthquakes here but not like this, the house has giant cracks all through it, the sliding glass doors are smashed.”
The US Geological Survey reported at least four aftershocks around the capital city in the first two hours after the main quake, with magnitudes ranging from 4.7 to 5.5.
The first 7.3-magnitude quake hit at a depth of 6.2 miles, as reported by Need To Know.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said: “Tsunami waves have been observed and are forecast for some coasts.”
Authorities in neighbouring Australia and New Zealand said there were no threats of a tsunami reaching their countries.
Australian foreign minister Penny Wong stated: “Vanuatu is family and we will always be there in times of need.”
Her New Zealand counterpart Winston Peters said: “Our thoughts are with the people and authorities of Vanuatu.”
Vanuatu is a low-lying archipelago of around 80 islands and 336,000 inhabitants.
It is situated in a seismically-active area and susceptible to frequent quakes and other natural disasters.
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