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.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi's two-day State Visit to Mauritius promises to strengthen the ties between India and the island nation. In addition to attending national day celebrations and meeting the country's top leadership, PM Modi will inaugurate over 20 India-funded projects focused on strengthening democracy and grassroots development in Mauritius. This includes the inauguration of the newly-constructed Civil Services College building and e-inauguration of 20 community projects across various sectors. The visit showcases India's continued support in strengthening governance and institutional capacity in Mauritius.
An Air India flight from Mumbai to New York (AI119) was forced to return mid-air after a note threatening a blast was discovered in the washroom. The flight safely landed in Mumbai where security agencies conducted mandatory checks on the aircraft. Passengers were provided with accommodations while officials conducted a thorough investigation. Meanwhile, actress Deepika Padukone discussed her personal and professional goals at the Forbes 30/50 Global Summit in Abu Dhabi, and also shared her biggest concern for her daughter, Dua.
Hundreds of people in Taiwan marched to honor the 66th anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day, protesting against China's cultural and ethnic genocide in Tibet. This year's march, attended by members of Taiwan's National Human Rights Commission for the first time, emphasized that Tibet has never been a part of China and called for attention to the ongoing human rights violations. Representative of the Tibetan government in exile to Taiwan, Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa, highlighted that the Seventeen-Point Agreement signed by Tibet in 1951 was a deceptive tactic used by the Chinese Communist Party, leading to the deaths of over 1.2 million Tibetans.
Amid the commemoration of the 66th anniversary of the Tibetan Uprising Day, Prime Minister-in-exile Penpa Tsering has warned of China's deliberate and dangerous attempts to erase the unique Tibetan identity through extensive sinicisation policies. He also highlighted the suppression of religious freedom, forced enrolment of Tibetan children in colonial-style schools, and environment damage caused by Chinese projects. With talks between the Dalai Lama and Chinese authorities breaking down in 2010, the situation for Tibetans remains critical.
The annual Taiwanese event, attended for the first time by the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), saw hundreds of protesters march in Taipei to honor the 66th anniversary of Tibetan Uprising Day and remember the millions who died at the hands of the Chinese Communist Party. Taiwan's Vice Chairperson of the NHRC, Wang Yu-ling Wang, emphasized the universal value of human rights and Taiwan's potential fate at the hands of China. Tibetan government representative Kelsang Gyaltsen Bawa spoke out against China's occupation and control of Tibet, while also highlighting the event's significance in uniting against China's oppression and preserving cultural heritage.
Following Trudeau's rocky relationship with India, Mark Carney, the newly elected leader of Canada's Liberal Party, promises to rebuild the strained ties between the two nations if he becomes prime minister. Carney, who has previously served as the governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, expressed his desire to diversify Canada's trade relationships with like-minded countries, including India. With his win, Carney now faces the challenge of repairing the damaged relations with India while also navigating Canada's trade tensions with the US under President Trump.
The rights group Ain O Salish Kendra has expressed grave concern over the forced closures of food shops during the holy month of Ramadan in Bangladesh. According to media reports, certain groups have been imposing restrictions on food shops, demanding their closure during the daytime. These actions not only create divisions in society but also infringe upon people's basic rights, leaving vulnerable groups without access to essential food services. The ASK has called for the government and all concerned parties to take immediate steps to address this issue and ensure that no one is deprived of their fundamental rights.
During his presidency, Donald Trump withdrew the US from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal, claiming it was a bad deal for the US. However, in a recent interview, Trump stated that he has written a letter to Iran's Supreme Leader, expressing his hope to renegotiate the deal. The Obama-era deal, which aimed to limit Iran's nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, has been gradually weakening due to European and American actions. Despite the Biden administration's efforts to negotiate a US re-entry, the deal's future remains uncertain.
The bodies of three Indian civilians, including a teenager, who went missing while on their way to attend a wedding, were found in the Kathua district of Jammu and Kashmir. The bodies were spotted by security forces using drones at a waterfall, and efforts are being made to retrieve them. The cause of death will only be confirmed after a postmortem. The civilians had been missing since Thursday night and a search operation was launched by the Indian Army and Jammu and Kashmir Police. The missing individuals have been identified as Jogesh Singh, Darshan Singh, and Baroon Singh from the Billawar Tehsil.
On the occasion of International Women's Day, Prime Minister Narendra Modi announced that his social media accounts would be taken over by women from diverse fields, while veteran actor Anupam Kher reflected on the critical role of women in society and wished everyone a happy Women's Day. As the world marks this day to recognize and empower women, voices like Kher's and the government's efforts to showcase women's contributions across sectors continue to strengthen the call for gender equality and equal recognition.