After the Earthquake: Emergency Situation and Curfew in Island Nation
Vanuatu, which experienced a powerful earthquake this week, enters a state of emergency and a nightly curfew for a week. The Australian government is prioritizing the evacuation of its citizens and those needing urgent medical care.
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The government of Vanuatu has declared a state of emergency following the 7.4-magnitude earthquake recorded on Tuesday this week.
The local government has imposed a seven-day curfew in the hardest-hit areas, including the capital, Port Vila. The curfew is in effect daily from 6:00 PM to 6:00 AM. The updates were provided today (December 20) by the U.S. embassy in the area to its citizens in the country and to embassy staff.
According to the announcement, Port Vila International Airport is expected to reopen for commercial flights this coming Sunday, December 22, though the date is not final. There is an expected high demand for flights.
The Australian government has restricted evacuation flights from Port Vila to Brisbane, prioritizing Australian citizens and those needing urgent medical attention. There is limited space on the flights.
Significant Damage and Aftershocks
The earthquake occurred, as mentioned, in the island nation of Vanuatu in the Pacific Ocean on Tuesday morning. A subsequent aftershock recorded a magnitude of 5.5. Further smaller tremors were noted thereafter.
Reports and documentation from the capital, Port Vila, and other large areas across the country indicated collapsed buildings and extensive property damage. One of the reasons for the significant destruction was the earthquake's epicenter being very close to the capital, Port Vila, only about 30 kilometers offshore, relatively close to land. The quake’s depth was ten kilometers.