A deadly 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck the small Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction in the capital city Port Vila. The disaster claimed at least 14 lives and left 200 injured, as buildings including foreign embassies were flattened. The US and French embassies closed temporarily, while President Michael Thompson reported seeing bodies in the streets and a landslide covering a bus. The disaster is expected to have a major impact on the country's population of 320,000 people.
Earthquakes in Vanuatu: A History of Catastrophic Events
Vanuatu, a picturesque archipelago in the South Pacific, has endured a devastating history of earthquakes. In recent years, the nation was rocked by a deadly magnitude 7.3 earthquake that inflicted widespread destruction and claimed lives.
The 2023 Earthquake
On January 10, 2023, a powerful earthquake struck the capital city of Port Vila, Vanuatu. The tremor registered a magnitude of 7.3, causing severe damage to buildings, including foreign embassies. At least 14 lives were lost, and over 200 people were injured. The quake triggered landslides, trapping a bus and leaving bodies in the streets.
Background on Vanuatu's Seismic Activity
Vanuatu is located on the Pacific's "Ring of Fire," a highly active seismic zone. The nation is prone to earthquakes due to the subduction of the Pacific Plate beneath the Australian Plate. In recent decades, Vanuatu has experienced several major earthquakes, including:
Top 5 FAQs on Vanuatu Earthquakes
1. What is the most recent earthquake to hit Vanuatu? The most recent earthquake to hit Vanuatu occurred on January 10, 2023, with a magnitude of 7.3.
2. How many people died in the 2023 earthquake? At least 14 people died in the 2023 earthquake.
3. What is the Ring of Fire and how does it impact Vanuatu? The Ring of Fire is a horseshoe-shaped zone of volcanic and seismic activity around the Pacific Ocean. Vanuatu is located on the Ring of Fire, which exposes it to a high risk of earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
4. What is the history of major earthquakes in Vanuatu? Vanuatu has a history of major earthquakes, including a magnitude 7.7 earthquake in 1999, a magnitude 6.8 earthquake in 2008, and a magnitude 7.0 earthquake in 2016.
5. What is the expected impact of the 2023 earthquake on Vanuatu? The 2023 earthquake is expected to have a major impact on Vanuatu's population of 320,000 people. The disaster could lead to power outages, water shortages, and disruptions to infrastructure and communication systems. It is also likely to have economic consequences, including damage to tourism and agriculture.
Dozens of Vanuatu workers who were working in New Zealand are now stranded in Fiji, unable to return home due to the closure of the country's airport. Local authorities have stated that the airport may not reopen until Saturday, leaving the workers stuck in limbo. One worker, Danson Kirk, recounts the fear and uncertainty he felt when he was unable to reach his wife, who was at a wharf preparing to come home, after the 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the country.
A tragic accident occurred off the coast of Mumbai on Wednesday where a Navy speed boat crashed into a ferry, resulting in the death of thirteen individuals and the rescue of over 100 others. The Indian Navy has launched a rescue operation, with multiple boats and helicopters involved in the search for survivors. President Droupadi Murmu expressed her condolences to the families of those affected and the Indian Navy has confirmed that the accident was caused by an engine malfunction during an engine trial.
A group of 12 Indians, including two couples, died at a restaurant in Gudauri, Georgia due to suspected carbon monoxide poisoning. Among the victims was 32-year-old Amrinder Kaur, who had moved to Georgia in 2015 to support her father. Her family is now trying to bring her body back to India to perform her last rites. The Indian Embassy in Georgia has been contacted for assistance. The other victims included a couple who were celebrating their first wedding anniversary and a 26-year-old resident of Punjab. The Indian authorities have assured that the bodies will be brought back to India soon.
Gurmukh Singh, a laborer from Punjab, India, is devastated by the death of his 24-year-old son who was one of 11 Indian nationals killed in a gas poisoning incident at a restaurant in Georgia's Gudauri resort. Gurmukh had taken a loan to send his son, who was his only support, to work at the restaurant. He is now struggling to raise funds to bring his son's body back home for funeral rites.
In a move to maintain its influence in Syria after Bashar al-Assad's ouster, Iran has opened direct communication with rebel groups within Syria's new leadership. Despite concerns over losing a key ally and facing potential pressure from the incoming US administration, Iranian officials are keen on establishing ties with those whose views align with their own in the new Syrian government. This engagement is seen as crucial to stabilizing ties and preventing further tensions in the region, as a hostile post-Assad Syria would have implications for Iranian access to the Mediterranean and their relationship with Hezbollah and Israel.
Pakistan has begun a week-long polio eradication campaign aimed at vaccinating over 44.7 million children under the age of five. The campaign, which spans across 143 districts of the country, has been launched amid tight security to prevent any potential attacks on polio workers. This year has seen a rise in polio cases, with 63 reported so far. However, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has expressed confidence in the collaborative efforts of the federal and provincial governments to overcome this challenge and ultimately eliminate the disease from Pakistan.
The Indian Army's Northern Command commemorated Vijay Diwas, which marks India's victory over Pakistan in the 1971 war, with wreath-laying ceremonies led by General Officer Commanding-in-Chief Lt Gen M V Suchindra Kumar. The Tiger Division also held a ceremony at a war memorial in Jammu, while in Ladakh, the Army paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the 'Hall of Fame' with a solemn ceremony. The event served as a reminder of the sacrifices made by the Indian armed forces during the war, and a commitment to protect the sovereignty of the nation.
After months of fighting, the Arakan Army (AA) has taken control of Maungdaw in Myanmar’s Rakhine state, marking a significant shift in the ongoing civil war. The AA’s conquest gives them control of all three municipalities bordering Bangladesh and sparks fears of revenge against the Rohingya, who were forced to fight alongside the Myanmar military. The AA’s offensive began in 2022, after a ceasefire with the junta broke down, and they are now continuing to fight for control of other townships in the south of the state.
On the occasion of Vijay Diwas, India and Bangladesh commemorated the victory of the Indian Armed Forces in the Indo-Pakistan war of 1971. Officers from the Indian Army, Navy, and Air Force paid their respects at the Army Headquarters Eastern Command in Kolkata, along with their counterparts from the Bangladesh Army. To celebrate this joint victory, eight Indian war veterans and two serving officers have arrived in Dhaka while eight Bangladeshi freedom fighters and two serving officers are in Kolkata to participate in the annual exchange of war veterans and attend the Vijay Diwas celebrations.