Australian rescue teams are set to depart for Vanuatu with fears the death toll will rise on the South Pacific island nation following a devastating earthquake.
At least 14 people were killed and hundreds injured after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck about 30km west of Port Vila at lunchtime on Tuesday.
An Australian rescue team and a medical assistance team were preparing to fly to Vanuatu on Wednesday morning on air force transport planes.
Aftershocks, including one 6.1 magnitude quake, had further rattled the island and rescue efforts.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said there were no reports of Australian casualties from the quake.
“We will continually liaise with the Vanuatu government about what further assistance we can provide as this unfolds,” he told ABC Radio.
“Clearly, this is a very significant incident and we hold anxiety about how it will unfold.”
Some Australian embassy staff suffered “small scrapes” and the government was still in the process of contacting local staff, Marles said.
The Australian High Commission to Vanuatu’s communications systems had been impacted as a result of the quake, High Commissioner Max Willis said in a post on X.
Marles said Australia had been in high-level contact with the Vanuatu government but telecommunications systems were being strained.
“We’re talking about countries which have fragile infrastructure to begin with, so there are really significant challenges in these moments,” he said.
“That said, our contacts with Vanuatu are strong.
“We’re well-practised in terms of doing humanitarian and disaster release contingencies and measures in countries around the Pacific, including Vanuatu, so we’re in a good position to be able to provide the assistance needed.”
The Australian government was preparing to provide further assistance based on Vanuatu’s needs.
Business opens door to Vanuatu
workers after earthquake
Meanwhile, a labour hire business has thrown open its doors to stranded workers needing a place to stay following a major earthquake in Vanuatu.
Rodney Prestia, chief executive officer of Queensland-based iComply Horticulture Compliance Specialists, made an emotional offer of assistance over social media late on Tuesday.
IComply is a business registered with the Pacific Australia Labour Mobility (PALM) scheme, which helps workers from the region find jobs at Australian businesses suffering skills shortages.
“Vanuatu has been so good to iComply over the years and Vanuatu is family to me,” Prestia said.
Some Australian embassy staff suffered “small scrapes” and the government was still in the process of contacting local staff, Deputy Prime Minister Marles said.
The Australian High Commission to Vanuatu’s communications systems had been impacted as a result of the quake, High Commissioner Max Willis said in a post on X.
Marles said Australia had been in high-level contact with the Vanuatu government but telecommunications systems were being strained.
Vanuatu workers in Queensland were left stranded with flights cancelled after Tuesday’s earthquake hit the island nation. Photo: AAP
“We’re talking about countries which have fragile infrastructure to begin with, so there are really significant challenges in these moments,” he said.
“That said, our contacts with Vanuatu are strong.
“We’re well-practised in terms of doing humanitarian and disaster release contingencies and measures in countries around the Pacific, including Vanuatu, so we’re in a good position to be able to provide the assistance needed.”
The Australian government was preparing to provide further assistance based on Vanuatu’s needs.
by Jacob Shteyman of AAP
