A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu on Tuesday, damaging infrastructure, triggering landslides and knocking out power and communications in the South Pacific island nation.
The earthquake occurred about 18 miles west of Port Vila, according to the US Geological Survey.
The earthquake partially collapsed buildings housing several Western embassies. Elsewhere, people appeared to be trapped in buildings in downtown Port Vila and local residents reported that a bus was covered by a landslide on one road.
French Ambassador to Vanuatu Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer wrote to X that the flights had been suspended.
The destruction raises questions about whether cruise ships scheduled to call in Vanuatu in the future will do so.
Royal Caribbean International’s Quantum of the Seas called in Mystery Island on Tuesday and will call in Port Vila on Wednesday and Christmas Eve.
Carnival Luminosa plans to visit Champagne Bay and Espiritu Santo on December 22 and Port Vila on December 23. Queen Elizabeth of Cunard is scheduled to visit Port Vila on December 28 and Luganville on December 29.
Carnival Corp. issued a statement saying it was deeply saddened to hear the news of the earthquake and that its team was actively monitoring the situation and in contact with authorities to determine whether any schedule adjustments were needed.
