Pacific region never seen such level of damage caused by Tuesday's earthquake in Vanuatu: Red Cross

By Anadolu staff

ANKARA (AA) – The Pacific region had never seen such infrastructure damage caused by a strong earthquake in Vanuatu, said a senior official of the International Federation of Red Cross (IFRC).

Katie Greenwood, head of the IFRC's Pacific division, said in an audio statement posted on X late Wednesday that the region had "never seen" such damage to property, including private and public buildings, caused by a 7.3 magnitude earthquake that struck Vanuatu on Tuesday.

She said the earthquake affected approximately 100,000 people.

At least 14 people were killed, and over 200 others injured, but Greenwood fears the number of casualties could rise.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai has declared a national emergency and requested international assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake.

​Vanuatu, located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to earthquakes caused by tectonic plate boundaries.

The powerful earthquake caused damage to both residential and public buildings, many of which "pancaked," according to locals and images shared on social media.

A building containing diplomatic missions from France, New Zealand, the US, and the UK was also damaged.

*Writing by Islamuddin Sajid