Update 2024-12-17 (4): According to recent media reports, at least 14 people were killed in the earthquake. At least 200 people were treated in hospital in Port Vila alone. Rescue operations for trapped people are still ongoing.
Port Vila Bauerfield International Airport (VLI) has now also been closed by the authorities.
Update 2024-12-17 (3): According to German authorities, after air traffic was already halted, shipping traffic to and from Vanuatu has been largely suspended due to landslides.
Update 2024-12-17 (2): According to the latest reports, the airlines Qantas, Jetstar, Virgin Airways, Fiji Airways and Solomon Airlines have suspended their flights to Port Vila (VLI).
Update 2024-12-17 (1): According to initial media reports, numerous buildings were destroyed or damaged by the earthquake in Port Vila. Among the affected buildings is one that houses several embassies, including those of the United States, France, the United Kingdom and New Zealand. There are also believed to be several fatalities, as people are said to have been inside collapsed buildings. At least one fatality has been confirmed, so far. In addition, a bus is said to have been hit by a landslide and several bridges have been destroyed. The connection between Port Vila and the city’s harbour is therefore blocked. There was also damage to telecommunications.