Port Vila, Vanuatu 
Rescue teams dug for survivors trapped in crumpled buildings in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Wednesday after a powerful earthquake killed at least nine people, burying some in rubble and landslides.
People called out from beneath the remains of a flattened three-storey shop in the capital Port Vila, where scores of rescuers worked through the night to find them, resident Michael Thompson told AFP by satellite phone. 
"We got three people out that were trapped. Unfortunately, one of them did not make it," he said.
About 80 people including police, medics, trained rescuers and volunteers used excavators, jackhammers, grinders and concrete saws, "just everything we can get our hands on".
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vanuatu-earthquake-embassies-of-us-uk-are-among-damaged-buildings-784720">Vanuatu earthquake: Embassies of US, UK among damaged buildings</a>
When rescuers on the site went quiet, they could hear three people within signalling they were alive on Wednesday, Thompson said.
"There's tonnes and tonnes of rubble on top of them. And two rather significant concrete beams that have pancaked down," he said. "Obviously they are lucky to be in a bit of a void."
AFP photos showed rescuers using heavy machinery to claw away rubble from the squashed concrete remains of a building, dust clouding the air.
The 7.3-magnitude quake struck off Vanuatu's main island at 12:47 pm local time (0147 GMT) on Tuesday.
<h2>State of emergency </h2>
It flattened large buildings, cracked walls, shattered windows and set off landslides in the low-lying archipelago of 320,000 people, which lies in the quake-prone Pacific Rim of Fire.
A string of aftershocks has since shaken the Pacific island nation.
Vanuatu declared a seven-day state of emergency "due to the severe impacts", along with a curfew from 6 pm-6 am.
Australia and New Zealand flew in medical and search-and-rescue personnel on military transport aircraft -- including a 64-person Australian team with two search dogs.
Nine people have been confirmed dead by Port Vila's hospital and that number is likely to rise, said an update by Vanuatu's disaster management office. 
The office had earlier said at least 14 people were killed. A government spokesperson was unable to immediately explain the change.
Two of the dead were Chinese citizens, the country's ambassador to Vanuatu told Chinese television.
Also read | <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sara-sharif-murder-sadist-father-and-stepmother-imprisoned-for-life-for-brutally-killing-her-784733">Sara Sharif murder: 'Sadist' father and stepmother imprisoned for life for brutally killing her</a>
The quake caused "major structural damage" in more than 10 buildings, including the main hospital, while also hitting three bridges and power lines, the disaster office's report said.
<h2>Water reserves destroyed </h2>
Two major water reserves supplying Port Vila had been "totally destroyed".
Mobile communications were "functional with intermittent disruptions", it said.
Port Vila's main wharf was closed "due to a major landslide".
The airport was "not operational" but could handle incoming humanitarian aid, the report said.
French engineers set up satellite communications at the airport and declared the runway operational, said the French ambassador Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer.
The ground floor of a four-storey concrete block in Port Vila -- used by the US, French, British, Australian and New Zealand diplomatic missions -- collapsed, AFP photos showed. 
US, French and Australian staff members who were inside are safe, the three countries have said.
Thompson, who runs a zipline adventure business in Vanuatu, said he had seen at least three bodies in the city.
'We could hear screams', he drove near the airport past a toppled four-storey block shortly after the quake. Its ground floor had collapsed under the upper storeys.
"When we slowed down with the windows down, we could hear screams coming from inside," he said. 
The quake crushed four large buildings in Port Vila and triggered landslides including one that covered a bus, Thompson said.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has estimated 116,000 people could be affected by the worst impacts of the quake.
"People are still hanging out in parks and some areas because they are afraid to go back home for fear of the aftershocks and more earthquakes," said Rebecca Olul, a local official with the UN children's charity UNICEF.
Concerns were mounting over access to fresh water and the challenge now would be ensuring people are safe while finding those who are missing, she told AFP.
Vanuatu is ranked as one of the countries most susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes, storm damage, flooding and tsunamis, according to the annual World Risk Report.
Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

The quake caused "major structural damage" in more than 10 buildings, including the main hospital, while also hitting three bridges and power lines.



Port Vila, Vanuatu Rescue teams dug for survivors trapped in crumpled buildings in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Wednesday after a powerful earthquake killed at least nine people, burying some in rubble and landslides. People called out from beneath the remains of a flattened three-storey shop in the capital Port Vila, where scores of rescuers worked through the night to find them, resident Michael Thompson told AFP by satellite phone. "We got three people out that were trapped. Unfortunately, one of them did not make it," he said. About 80 people including police, medics, trained rescuers and volunteers used excavators, jackhammers, grinders and concrete saws, "just everything we can get our hands on". Also read | Vanuatu earthquake: Embassies of US, UK among damaged buildings When rescuers on the site went quiet, they could hear three people within signalling they were alive on Wednesday, Thompson said. "There's tonnes and tonnes of rubble on top of them. And two rather significant concrete beams that have pancaked down," he said. "Obviously they are lucky to be in a bit of a void." AFP photos showed rescuers using heavy machinery to claw away rubble from the squashed concrete remains of a building, dust clouding the air. The 7.3-magnitude quake struck off Vanuatu's main island at 12:47 pm local time (0147 GMT) on Tuesday. State of emergency It flattened large buildings, cracked walls, shattered windows and set off landslides in the low-lying archipelago of 320,000 people, which lies in the quake-prone Pacific Rim of Fire. A string of aftershocks has since shaken the Pacific island nation. Vanuatu declared a seven-day state of emergency "due to the severe impacts", along with a curfew from 6 pm-6 am. Australia and New Zealand flew in medical and search-and-rescue personnel on military transport aircraft -- including a 64-person Australian team with two search dogs. Nine people have been confirmed dead by Port Vila's hospital and that number is likely to rise, said an update by Vanuatu's disaster management office. The office had earlier said at least 14 people were killed. A government spokesperson was unable to immediately explain the change. Two of the dead were Chinese citizens, the country's ambassador to Vanuatu told Chinese television. Also read | Sara Sharif murder: 'Sadist' father and stepmother imprisoned for life for brutally killing her The quake caused "major structural damage" in more than 10 buildings, including the main hospital, while also hitting three bridges and power lines, the disaster office's report said. Water reserves destroyed Two major water reserves supplying Port Vila had been "totally destroyed". Mobile communications were "functional with intermittent disruptions", it said. Port Vila's main wharf was closed "due to a major landslide". The airport was "not operational" but could handle incoming humanitarian aid, the report said. French engineers set up satellite communications at the airport and declared the runway operational, said the French ambassador Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer. The ground floor of a four-storey concrete block in Port Vila -- used by the US, French, British, Australian and New Zealand diplomatic missions -- collapsed, AFP photos showed. US, French and Australian staff members who were inside are safe, the three countries have said. Thompson, who runs a zipline adventure business in Vanuatu, said he had seen at least three bodies in the city. 'We could hear screams', he drove near the airport past a toppled four-storey block shortly after the quake. Its ground floor had collapsed under the upper storeys. "When we slowed down with the windows down, we could hear screams coming from inside," he said. The quake crushed four large buildings in Port Vila and triggered landslides including one that covered a bus, Thompson said. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has estimated 116,000 people could be affected by the worst impacts of the quake. "People are still hanging out in parks and some areas because they are afraid to go back home for fear of the aftershocks and more earthquakes," said Rebecca Olul, a local official with the UN children's charity UNICEF. Concerns were mounting over access to fresh water and the challenge now would be ensuring people are safe while finding those who are missing, she told AFP. Vanuatu is ranked as one of the countries most susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes, storm damage, flooding and tsunamis, according to the annual World Risk Report. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Rescue efforts intensify as Vanuatu battles aftermath of deadly earthquake

Rescue teams dug for survivors trapped in crumpled buildings in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Wednesday after a powerful earthquake killed at least nine people, burying some in rubble and landslides.

People called out from beneath the remains of a flattened three-storey shop in the capital Port Vila, where scores of rescuers worked through the night to find them, resident Michael Thompson told AFP by satellite phone.&nbsp;

"We got three people out that were trapped. Unfortunately, one of them did not make it," he said.

About 80 people including police, medics, trained rescuers and volunteers used excavators, jackhammers, grinders and concrete saws, "just everything we can get our hands on".

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/vanuatu-earthquake-embassies-of-us-uk-are-among-damaged-buildings-784720">Vanuatu earthquake: Embassies of US, UK among damaged&nbsp;buildings</a>

When rescuers on the site went quiet, they could hear three people within signalling they were alive on Wednesday, Thompson said.

"There's tonnes and tonnes of rubble on top of them. And two rather significant concrete beams that have pancaked down," he said. "Obviously they are lucky to be in a bit of a void."

AFP photos showed rescuers using heavy machinery to claw away rubble from the squashed concrete remains of a building, dust clouding the air.

The 7.3-magnitude quake struck off Vanuatu's main island at 12:47 pm local time (0147 GMT) on Tuesday.

<h2>State of emergency&nbsp;</h2>

It flattened large buildings, cracked walls, shattered windows and set off landslides in the low-lying archipelago of 320,000 people, which lies in the quake-prone Pacific Rim of Fire.

A string of aftershocks has since shaken the Pacific island nation.

Vanuatu declared a seven-day state of emergency "due to the severe impacts", along with a curfew from 6 pm-6 am.

Australia and New Zealand flew in medical and search-and-rescue personnel on military transport aircraft -- including a 64-person Australian team with two search dogs.

Nine people have been confirmed dead by Port Vila's hospital and that number is likely to rise, said an update by Vanuatu's disaster management office.&nbsp;

The office had earlier said at least 14 people were killed. A government spokesperson was unable to immediately explain the change.

Two of the dead were Chinese citizens, the country's ambassador to Vanuatu told Chinese television.

Also read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/sara-sharif-murder-sadist-father-and-stepmother-imprisoned-for-life-for-brutally-killing-her-784733">Sara Sharif murder: 'Sadist' father and stepmother imprisoned for life for brutally killing her</a>

The quake caused "major structural damage" in more than 10 buildings, including the main hospital, while also hitting three bridges and power lines, the disaster office's report said.

<h2>Water reserves destroyed&nbsp;</h2>

Two major water reserves supplying Port Vila had been "totally destroyed".

Mobile communications were "functional with intermittent disruptions", it said.

Port Vila's main wharf was closed "due to a major landslide".

The airport was "not operational" but could handle incoming humanitarian aid, the report said.

French engineers set up satellite communications at the airport and declared the runway operational, said the French ambassador Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer.

The ground floor of a four-storey concrete block in Port Vila -- used by the US, French, British, Australian and New Zealand diplomatic missions -- collapsed, AFP photos showed.&nbsp;

US, French and Australian staff members who were inside are safe, the three countries have said.

Thompson, who runs a zipline adventure business in Vanuatu, said he had seen at least three bodies in the city.

'We could hear screams', he drove near the airport past a toppled four-storey block shortly after the quake. Its ground floor had collapsed under the upper storeys.

"When we slowed down with the windows down, we could hear screams coming from inside," he said.&nbsp;

The quake crushed four large buildings in Port Vila and triggered landslides including one that covered a bus, Thompson said.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has estimated 116,000 people could be affected by the worst impacts of the quake.

"People are still hanging out in parks and some areas because they are afraid to go back home for fear of the aftershocks and more earthquakes," said Rebecca Olul, a local official with the UN children's charity UNICEF.

Concerns were mounting over access to fresh water and the challenge now would be ensuring people are safe while finding those who are missing, she told AFP.

Vanuatu is ranked as one of the countries most susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes, storm damage, flooding and tsunamis, according to the annual World Risk Report.

Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION&nbsp;audience.

Rescue teams dug for survivors trapped in crumpled buildings in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Wednesday after a powerful earthquake killed at least nine people, burying some in rubble and landslides.

Rescue teams dug for survivors trapped in crumpled buildings in the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Wednesday after a powerful earthquake killed at least nine people, burying some in rubble and landslides. People called out from beneath the remains of a flattened three-storey shop in the capital Port Vila, where scores of rescuers worked through the night to find them, resident Michael Thompson told AFP by satellite phone. "We got three people out that were trapped. Unfortunately, one of them did not make it," he said. About 80 people including police, medics, trained rescuers and volunteers used excavators, jackhammers, grinders and concrete saws, "just everything we can get our hands on". Also read | Vanuatu earthquake: Embassies of US, UK among damaged buildings When rescuers on the site went quiet, they could hear three people within signalling they were alive on Wednesday, Thompson said. "There's tonnes and tonnes of rubble on top of them. And two rather significant concrete beams that have pancaked down," he said. "Obviously they are lucky to be in a bit of a void." AFP photos showed rescuers using heavy machinery to claw away rubble from the squashed concrete remains of a building, dust clouding the air. The 7.3-magnitude quake struck off Vanuatu's main island at 12:47 pm local time (0147 GMT) on Tuesday. State of emergency It flattened large buildings, cracked walls, shattered windows and set off landslides in the low-lying archipelago of 320,000 people, which lies in the quake-prone Pacific Rim of Fire. A string of aftershocks has since shaken the Pacific island nation. Vanuatu declared a seven-day state of emergency "due to the severe impacts", along with a curfew from 6 pm-6 am. Australia and New Zealand flew in medical and search-and-rescue personnel on military transport aircraft -- including a 64-person Australian team with two search dogs. Nine people have been confirmed dead by Port Vila's hospital and that number is likely to rise, said an update by Vanuatu's disaster management office. The office had earlier said at least 14 people were killed. A government spokesperson was unable to immediately explain the change. Two of the dead were Chinese citizens, the country's ambassador to Vanuatu told Chinese television. Also read | Sara Sharif murder: 'Sadist' father and stepmother imprisoned for life for brutally killing her The quake caused "major structural damage" in more than 10 buildings, including the main hospital, while also hitting three bridges and power lines, the disaster office's report said. Water reserves destroyed Two major water reserves supplying Port Vila had been "totally destroyed". Mobile communications were "functional with intermittent disruptions", it said. Port Vila's main wharf was closed "due to a major landslide". The airport was "not operational" but could handle incoming humanitarian aid, the report said. French engineers set up satellite communications at the airport and declared the runway operational, said the French ambassador Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer. The ground floor of a four-storey concrete block in Port Vila -- used by the US, French, British, Australian and New Zealand diplomatic missions -- collapsed, AFP photos showed. US, French and Australian staff members who were inside are safe, the three countries have said. Thompson, who runs a zipline adventure business in Vanuatu, said he had seen at least three bodies in the city. 'We could hear screams', he drove near the airport past a toppled four-storey block shortly after the quake. Its ground floor had collapsed under the upper storeys. "When we slowed down with the windows down, we could hear screams coming from inside," he said. The quake crushed four large buildings in Port Vila and triggered landslides including one that covered a bus, Thompson said. The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has estimated 116,000 people could be affected by the worst impacts of the quake. "People are still hanging out in parks and some areas because they are afraid to go back home for fear of the aftershocks and more earthquakes," said Rebecca Olul, a local official with the UN children's charity UNICEF. Concerns were mounting over access to fresh water and the challenge now would be ensuring people are safe while finding those who are missing, she told AFP. Vanuatu is ranked as one of the countries most susceptible to natural disasters such as earthquakes, storm damage, flooding and tsunamis, according to the annual World Risk Report. Disclaimer: This story has been published from a news agency feed with minimal edits to adhere to WION's style guide. The headline may have been changed to better reflect the content of the story or to make it more suitable for WION audience.

Port Vila, Vanuatu
<meta charset="utf-8"/>A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the coast of Vanuatu on Tuesday (Dec 17), causing widespread destruction and severe damage to buildings, including a complex housing several Western embassies, including the United States Embassy, British High Commission, French Embassy, and New Zealand High Commission.
The United States Embassy confirmed "considerable damage" and announced the building would remain closed until further notice, though all staff had safely evacuated.
The quake caused widespread destruction in Port Vila, triggered tsunami warnings, and left one person dead. Aftershocks ranging between 4.7 and 5.5 magnitudes continue to rattle the region.
<h2 dir="ltr">Embassies sustain major damage</h2>
The US Embassy in Papua New Guinea reassured in a statement on social media: “While the US Embassy building sustained significant damage, all personnel were able to safely evacuate the building.” 
Michael Thompson, a Vanuatu resident, described the devastation: “The bottom floor of the embassy block no longer exists. It is completely flat. The top three floors are still holding but have dropped.”
Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bodies-found-amid-rubble-in-vanuatu-capital-after-powerful-73-magnitude-quake-784587">Bodies found amid rubble in Vanuatu capital after powerful 7.3 magnitude quake</a>
<h2 dir="ltr">Neighbouring countries offer support</h2>
Authorities in Australia and New Zealand confirmed there is no tsunami threat for their nations and pledged support for Vanuatu. “Vanuatu is family, and we will always be there in times of need,” said Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Similarly, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed, “Our thoughts are with the people and authorities of Vanuatu,” while monitoring the situation closely.
<h2 dir="ltr">Aftershocks and ongoing damage</h2>
The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported at least four aftershocks following the main quake, with magnitudes ranging from 4.7 to 5.5. Photos shared by AFP depict the collapsed ground floor of the embassy complex, emphasising the scale of destruction.
Authorities continue assessing the damage while aftershocks persist, further adding to the challenges faced by residents.
(With inputs from agencies)

The United States Embassy confirmed "considerable damage" and stated that the building would stay closed until further notice, but all staff had safely evacuated.



Port Vila, Vanuatu A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the coast of Vanuatu on Tuesday (Dec 17), causing widespread destruction and severe damage to buildings, including a complex housing several Western embassies, including the United States Embassy, British High Commission, French Embassy, and New Zealand High Commission. The United States Embassy confirmed "considerable damage" and announced the building would remain closed until further notice, though all staff had safely evacuated. The quake caused widespread destruction in Port Vila, triggered tsunami warnings, and left one person dead. Aftershocks ranging between 4.7 and 5.5 magnitudes continue to rattle the region. Embassies sustain major damage The US Embassy in Papua New Guinea reassured in a statement on social media: “While the US Embassy building sustained significant damage, all personnel were able to safely evacuate the building.” Michael Thompson, a Vanuatu resident, described the devastation: “The bottom floor of the embassy block no longer exists. It is completely flat. The top three floors are still holding but have dropped.” Also Read: Bodies found amid rubble in Vanuatu capital after powerful 7.3 magnitude quake Neighbouring countries offer support Authorities in Australia and New Zealand confirmed there is no tsunami threat for their nations and pledged support for Vanuatu. “Vanuatu is family, and we will always be there in times of need,” said Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Similarly, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed, “Our thoughts are with the people and authorities of Vanuatu,” while monitoring the situation closely. Aftershocks and ongoing damage The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported at least four aftershocks following the main quake, with magnitudes ranging from 4.7 to 5.5. Photos shared by AFP depict the collapsed ground floor of the embassy complex, emphasising the scale of destruction. Authorities continue assessing the damage while aftershocks persist, further adding to the challenges faced by residents. (With inputs from agencies)

Vanuatu earthquake: Embassies of US, UK among damaged buildings

A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the coast of Vanuatu on Tuesday (Dec 17), causing widespread destruction and severe damage to buildings, including a complex housing several Western embassies, including the United States Embassy, British High Commission, French Embassy, and New Zealand High Commission.

A powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake hit the coast of Vanuatu on Tuesday (Dec 17), causing widespread destruction and severe damage to buildings, including a complex housing several Western embassies, including the United States Embassy, British High Commission, French Embassy, and New Zealand High Commission. The United States Embassy confirmed "considerable damage" and announced the building would remain closed until further notice, though all staff had safely evacuated. The quake caused widespread destruction in Port Vila, triggered tsunami warnings, and left one person dead. Aftershocks ranging between 4.7 and 5.5 magnitudes continue to rattle the region. Embassies sustain major damage The US Embassy in Papua New Guinea reassured in a statement on social media: “While the US Embassy building sustained significant damage, all personnel were able to safely evacuate the building.” Michael Thompson, a Vanuatu resident, described the devastation: “The bottom floor of the embassy block no longer exists. It is completely flat. The top three floors are still holding but have dropped.” Also Read: Bodies found amid rubble in Vanuatu capital after powerful 7.3 magnitude quake Neighbouring countries offer support Authorities in Australia and New Zealand confirmed there is no tsunami threat for their nations and pledged support for Vanuatu. “Vanuatu is family, and we will always be there in times of need,” said Australia’s Foreign Minister Penny Wong. Similarly, New Zealand’s Foreign Minister Winston Peters expressed, “Our thoughts are with the people and authorities of Vanuatu,” while monitoring the situation closely. Aftershocks and ongoing damage The United States Geological Survey (USGS) reported at least four aftershocks following the main quake, with magnitudes ranging from 4.7 to 5.5. Photos shared by AFP depict the collapsed ground floor of the embassy complex, emphasising the scale of destruction. Authorities continue assessing the damage while aftershocks persist, further adding to the challenges faced by residents. (With inputs from agencies)

An earthquake of magnitude 6.5 struck the Sola, Vanuatu region late on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. So far, there is no update on a Tsunami warning.

The quake was estimated at a depth of 193 km (119.92 miles), USGS added.&nbsp;

Vanuatu is a double chain of 13 principal and many smaller islands in the&nbsp;south-western Pacific Ocean.

The islands are volcanic and coral in origin.

They lie about 800 kilometres west of Fiji and nearly 1800 kilometres east of Australia. Around 65 of the islands are inhabited.

<h2>Why Vanuatu is prone to earthquakes?</h2>

Vanuatu is situated along the "Ring of Fire," a circle of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

This country faces an annual cyclone season, recurrent droughts, and floods, rendering it among the world's most susceptible nations to natural calamities.

According to the UK government's foreign travel advisory, the cyclone season in Vanuatu spans from November to May, posing a significant risk of potent winds, heavy rainfall, and subsequent flooding, landslides, and road closures.

Over 2,000 seismic events are recorded annually, with occasional larger earthquakes and tremors exceeding a magnitude of five.

Active volcanoes are situated on Tanna, Ambae, Ambrym, Lopevi, Vanua Lava, and Gaua islands.

Vanuatu confronts rising sea levels and intensifying cyclones that adversely impact its economy.

The island nation has submitted a draft UN resolution seeking advisory from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning legal obligations and consequences related to climate change-induced harm.

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An earthquake of magnitude 6.5 struck the Sola, Vanuatu region late on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. So far, there is no update on a Tsunami warning.

An earthquake of magnitude 6.5 struck the Sola, Vanuatu region late on Wednesday, the US Geological Survey (USGS) said. So far, there is no update on a Tsunami warning. The quake was estimated at a depth of 193 km (119.92 miles), USGS added. Vanuatu is a double chain of 13 principal and many smaller islands in the south-western Pacific Ocean. The islands are volcanic and coral in origin. They lie about 800 kilometres west of Fiji and nearly 1800 kilometres east of Australia. Around 65 of the islands are inhabited. Why Vanuatu is prone to earthquakes? Vanuatu is situated along the "Ring of Fire," a circle of seismic faults encircling the Pacific Ocean known for frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions. This country faces an annual cyclone season, recurrent droughts, and floods, rendering it among the world's most susceptible nations to natural calamities. According to the UK government's foreign travel advisory, the cyclone season in Vanuatu spans from November to May, posing a significant risk of potent winds, heavy rainfall, and subsequent flooding, landslides, and road closures. Over 2,000 seismic events are recorded annually, with occasional larger earthquakes and tremors exceeding a magnitude of five. Active volcanoes are situated on Tanna, Ambae, Ambrym, Lopevi, Vanua Lava, and Gaua islands. Vanuatu confronts rising sea levels and intensifying cyclones that adversely impact its economy. The island nation has submitted a draft UN resolution seeking advisory from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) concerning legal obligations and consequences related to climate change-induced harm. WATCH WION LIVE HERE You can now write for wionews.com and be a part of the community. Share your stories and opinions with us here.

Vanuatu struck by strong earthquake in tsunami-sensitive region

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Rescue efforts intensify as Vanuatu battles aftermath of deadly earthquake

Rescue efforts intensify as Vanuatu battles aftermath of deadly earthquake

Vanuatu earthquake: Embassies of US, UK among damaged buildings

Vanuatu earthquake: Embassies of US, UK among damaged buildings

Vanuatu struck by strong earthquake in tsunami-sensitive region