The U.S. embassy in Vanuatu has suffered “considerable damage” following an earthquake.
A 7.3 magnitude temblor struck the Pacific nation on Tuesday, causing damage to multiple buildings, including a complex in the capital, Port Vila, which hosts several Western embassies.
“The U.S. Embassy in Port Vila has sustained considerable damage and is closed until further notice,” a spokesperson for the U.S. Embassy in Port Moresby, Papua New Guinea, told CNN. “Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this earthquake and the U.S. government will work closely with our partners in Vanuatu.”
Videos posted on social media show the red and blue building clearly damaged and surrounded by debris.
The earthquake took place at 12:47 p.m. local time at a depth of about 35 miles, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS). This was followed by an aftershock of 5.5 magnitude.
At least one person died in a hospital following the …