UPDATE - Vanuatu battles aftermath of earthquake that killed 14, including 2 Chinese citizens

UPDATES WITH STATEMENT FROM CHINA; REVISES HEADLINE, DECK, LEDE

By Yasin Gungor and Riyaz ul Khaliq

ISTANBUL (AA) - The southern Pacific nation of Vanuatu sought international aid after a 7.3-magnitude earthquake killed at least 14 people, including two Chinese citizens, and damaged buildings and other infrastructure.

The UN estimates that 116,000 people could be affected, highlighting urgent humanitarian needs in the aftermath of the earthquake that hit the nation of around 334,000 people.

Vanuatu Prime Minister Charlot Salwai declared a state of emergency, calling for international aid.

The Vanuatu government is “reporting 14 confirmed fatalities and 200 treated for injuries at the main hospital in Port Vila... Rescue operations continue to free those trapped after the quake, and attention turns to urgent needs like first aid, shelter and water," said Katie Greenwood, head of delegation for the Pacific region at the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

Chinese Foreign Ministry said there were two Chinese citizens among the deceased while two others have been injured due to the earthquake that hit the capital Port Vila on Tuesday.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong announced immediate assistance, including search and rescue and medical teams, while US State Department spokesman Matthew Miller emphasized coordinated disaster relief efforts with regional partners.

The US Geological Survey (USGS) reported five quakes, with the strongest – measuring 7.3 -- centered 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) west of the capital, Port Vila. Four aftershocks of magnitudes 5.0 to 5.5 followed.

Located on the Pacific Ring of Fire, Vanuatu frequently experiences earthquakes due to its tectonic plate boundaries.

According to French ambassador Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer, a portable satellite communication system was set up at the airport which was affected by the earthquake.

“The first aerial reconnaissance images taken… (and) the runway has been assessed by our engineers and declared operational,” he said.

Later, images shared by Vilmer on X showed a French military plane from New Caledonia bringing 15 personnel, engineers, civil security, nurses, rescuers, and 2.7 tons of water, rations and freight to Vanuatu.

The strong earthquake damaged residential as well as public buildings many of which “pancaked,” according to locals as well as images shared on social media.

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