7.3 magnitude earthquake damages US Embassy in Vanuatu

On By Littum

LONDON — The US Embassy in Port Vila was damaged on Tuesday when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu.

The embassy, ​​which is in the capital of the island of Efate, “sustained significant damage during the earthquake and is closed until further notice,” US officials said in a warning. All employees who were in the building at the time of the earthquake were safe and accounted for, officials said in a later update on social media.

A general view of a badly damaged building housing the US, UK and New Zealand embassies after a strong earthquake hit Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024.

STR/AFP via Getty Images

“Our thoughts go out to everyone affected by this earthquake, and the US government will work closely with our partners in Vanuatu,” update said.

The earthquake struck about 2 miles west of the capital just before 1 p.m. local time, the US Geological Survey said. A series of aftershocks followed, but no tsunami warnings were issued.

“The US Embassy is hearing reports that flights to and from Vanuatu have been cancelled,” the embassy said in the alert “There are also reports of landslides in the Port Vila area.”

This photo shows a general view of a severely damaged building housing the embassies of the United States, Great Britain and New Zealand after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, on December 17, 2024.

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“People are advised to avoid entering buildings as they may be damaged or unstable,” the warning reads.

The embassy was opened in July, Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman, said at the time.

ABC News’ Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.