7.4 Magnitude Earthquake Strikes Vanuatu

A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck near Port Vila, Vanuatu, on Tuesday, causing structural damage to buildings, including those housing the US and French embassies. The quake had an aftershock of 5.5 magnitude, and there were reports of government websites being offline in the chaos. The US Geological Survey issued a tsunami warning, with potential waves reaching up to 1 meter for some coastal areas of Vanuatu, though Australia and New Zealand were not at risk. Eyewitness accounts and social media footage revealed damaged infrastructure, but no immediate casualties have been reported. Authorities are monitoring the situation closely, advising residents to stay alert for updates and potential aftershocks. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center confirmed observed tsunami waves of 0.25 meters and warned of rapid coastal threats.