Australia sends emergency teams to Vanuatu after deadly earthquake

Australia is sending “plane loads of help” to Vanuatu after a freak, deadly earthquake struck the small Pacific country, burying unknown numbers beneath collapsed buildings.

At least 14 people have been reported killed since the 7.3-magnitude quake hit the archipelago on Tuesday afternoon, devastating its capital Port Vila.

But with more than 116,000 people estimated to be affected, authorities are bracing for the death toll to rise.

Vanuatu’s caretaker prime minister has declared a state of emergency, including a seven-day curfew for areas impacted most.

The Albanese government has been quick to dispatch disasters response teams, with Jim Chalmers on Wednesday reassuring Vanuatuans help was on its way.

“I can only imagine how scary it is for people in Vanuatu,” the Treasurer told reporters in Canberra.

“Earthquakes and aftershocks, there was a tsunami warning, and so people would be absolutely terrified.

“And everyone in Vanuatu should know that your Australian friends are there for you.

“We’ve got plane loads of help coming to you right now, and that’s the beginning, not the end, of the ways that we are prepared to support beautiful people in a wonderful country.”

The government has deployed an immediate $2m response package, which includes a 64-person Disaster Assistance Response Team nd two canines to undertake urban search and rescue operations.

The team will work alongside local authorities to recover people trapped within buildings, the government said on Wednesday.

An Australian Medical Assistance Team has also been deployed alongside a five-person crisis response team from DFAT, a liaison officer from the National Emergency Management Agency and a further nine AFP officers to add to the six officers already posted to Vanuatu.

A Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster III and C-130J Hercules transported the teams to the country and the government said the Australian Defence Force was “ready to provide further support as needed”.

DFAT said there were are a number of Australians in the affected region it was providing consular assistance to those in need.

Foreign Minister Penny Wong said the support package would deliver “lifesaving assistance”.

“We send our deepest condolences following this dreadful tragedy,” she said on Wednesday.

“My message to the people of Vanuatu is Australia is here to help. This immediate package of support will ensure those in urgent need receive lifesaving assistance.”

Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles said the government stood “ready to assist the Vanuatu government as required in this critical time”.

“Australia’s connection with the government and people of Vanuatu is strong and we will continue to work with them in this time of need,” he said.

Mr Chalmers dismissed that Australia’s regional rivalry with China was playing a role in the Albanese government’s rapid response.

“Obviously, we understand that our neighbourhood is a contested space, but our motivations here are helping people who are in danger,” he said.

“And in the many conversations I’ve had in the last two days about this, the geopolitical considerations haven’t featured at all, and that’s because our primary motivation is helping our friends in need.

“We take our responsibilities to our neighbours very, very seriously.”

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said overnight that the Albanese government was “monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide further assistance”.

“The Australian government is preparing to deploy immediate assistance from tomorrow, including urban search and rescue and emergency medical teams,” Senator Wong said in a statement.

“We are closely monitoring the situation and stand ready to provide further assistance to the people of Vanuatu as the extent of damage becomes clear.

“Australia and Vanuatu share a deep and enduring partnership. We are family and we will always be there in times of need.”

Australia’s envoy to Vanuatu Max Willis said earlier on Tuesday the Australian High Commission’s communications systems were affected by the earthquake.

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has also pledged to “assist the people of Vanuatu in any way we can”.

The US has closed its embassy in Port Vila due to severe damage to the building housing it.

The building also houses the French Embassy and British and New Zealand high commissions.

Geoscience Australia recorded a second quake early on Wednesday.

The government agency reported it as a magnitude 6.0 with a depth of 72km.

In contrast, Tuesday’s quake was reported with a depth of 10km.