A 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near the coast of Vanuatu, a Pacific nation of 330,000 people, on Tuesday, causing widespread damage including destroyed buildings and landslides that blocked roads. Injuries were treated urgently outside Vila Central Hospital.
The U.S. Geological Survey reported concerns about a potential tsunami.
The earthquake, which occurred 30 km west of Port Vila, the country’s largest city, was followed by a 5.5 magnitude aftershock and also destroyed buildings housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, France, and New Zealand.