A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck just off the coast of Vanuatu's major island of Efate on Tuesday afternoon.
Locals reported on social media feeling violent shaking for around 30 seconds.
Posts to social media, which AAP is yet to verify, show seriously damaged buildings, including the US Embassy, which appears to have collapsed onto the first floor.
7.4 Earthquake damage in Vanuatu. — Disasters Daily (@DisastersAndI) December 17, 2024 #earthquake #sismo #terremoto pic.twitter.com/8n6z0QEaQeDecember 17, 2024
Dan McGarry, a Vanuatu-based journalist, said there was no doubt there had been casualties from the tremor.
"There are buildings down here so I'm expecting the casualty figure to rise," he told AAP.
"I know of one fatality according to police stationed at Port Vila Central Hospital, and I saw with my own eyes three others on gurneys, several others walking around, walking wounded.
"I think it will probably be in the dozens, altogether dead and wounded."
The earthquake also impacted communications, with AP reporting government websites were offline in the immediate aftermath of the tremor, as are local media outlets.
"There is limited connectivity through one of our telecommunications carriers, the other one is entirely offline and power is out through the entire capital," Mr McGarry said.
Foreign Minister Penny Wong said in a post on X that the Australian government is closely monitoring the situation in Vanuatu following the quake.
We are closely monitoring the situation in Vanuatu following this afternoon's devastating earthquake. — Senator Penny Wong (@SenatorWong) We stand ready to support Vanuatu, as the extent of the damage is assessed. Vanuatu is family and we will always be there in times of need.December 17, 2024
Treasurer Jim Chalmers, speaking to media shortly after the disaster, said the earthquake was "very serious" and "very troubling".
"I'm confident I speak on behalf of all Australians when I say that we are thinking of the wonderful people of Vanuatu," he said.
Treasurer Jim Chalmers says Australians have the people of Vanuatu in their thoughts. (Lukas Coch/AAP PHOTOS)
A tsunami threat to Australia and New Zealand was cleared by authorities in both countries.
The earthquake occurred at a relatively shallow depth of 57km according to American earthquake monitors the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
Smaller aftershocks, including one of 5.5 magnitude, followed in the similar location.
The island nation lies on the "Ring of Fire", a 40,000km seismically active arc around the rim of the Pacific tectonic plate.
"Vanuatu is situated, like New Zealand, on top of a subduction zone," University of Auckland physics associate professor Kasper van Wijk said.
"This particular earthquake was shallow and close to Port Vila, so I expect there to be significant damage from the earthquake."
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