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A 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit the Pacific nation of Vanuatu on Tuesday. The earthquake destroyed buildings in the capital, Port Vila, including buildings used by foreign embassies. A witness told AFP that bodies were seen in the city.
According to the US Geological Survey, the 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck at a depth of 57 km, about 30 km off the coast of Vanuatu's main island, Efet, at 12:47 p.m. local time.
After a few minutes, an aftershock of 5.5 magnitude occurred. Then came the small tremors. The earthquake shook this low-altitude island group with a population of 320,000 on the earthquake-sensitive Pacific Rim of Fire.
AFP photos show that the ground floor of a four-story concrete building used by the diplomatic missions of the US, France, Britain, Australia and New Zealand in Port Vila has completely collapsed.
Both countries have said that the employees of the American and French embassies are safe. The US has closed its embassy until further notice. France said its mission was 'destroyed'.
Thompson said that in addition to destroying the ground floor of the diplomatic building, the earthquake also brought down at least two bridges and destroyed other buildings.
