Earthquake-triggered landslides have caused significant damage to infrastructure across Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, while experts warn that anticipated heavy rainfall in the coming days may complicate recovery efforts.
A magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the Southwest Pacific island nation on Tuesday, claiming at least 14 lives and injuring more than 200 people. Just days later, a magnitude 6.1 quake hit early on Sunday, adding to the devastation.
One of the biggest concerns at the moment is the aftermath of the landslides triggered by the aftershocks. Several landslides have occurred around Port Vila, with one particularly substantial event near a local business. Remarkably, despite massive boulders crashing down, the business remains standing. However, the ground remains unstable, and ongoing aftershocks continue to pose a significant risk.
Local authorities have also reported the formation of a low-pressure system off the coast of Port Vila, expected to bring heavy rain for several days. As a result, recovery operations at a landslide site near the port have been suspended, as rescue teams believe there may still be victims trapped beneath the rubble.
Authorities have stated that recovery efforts will not resume until they can ensure the safety of workers, with hopes that the rains will subside soon.
Earthquake-triggered landslides cause substantial damage across Port Vila
Twenty-nine survivors were found in the passenger plane crash in Aktau, Kazakhstan on Wednesday, Kazakhstan's Ministry of Emergency Situations (MES) reported.
An Embraer 190 aircraft operated by Azerbaijan Airlines with flight number J2-8243 from Baku to Grozny crashed near Aktau Airport on Wednesday with a total of 67 people on board.
According to the MES, 482 people are involved in the rescue on site, as well as 97 pieces of equipment, two aircraft and four teams of search and rescue dogs.
A group of electric power workers near the crash site were among the first batch of rescuers, who said they helped save around 15 people at the scene.
"We saw the plane crash with our own eyes and quickly packed up to head to the scene for rescue. Later, personnel from the Ministry of Emergency Situations and hospital staff members arrived. About 10 of us went there. We brought a crane to help rescue people from the cabin," a rescuer said.
The emergency departments of Kazakhstan, Russia and Azerbaijan exchanged information via video conference.
According to Subkhonkul Rakhimov, a survivor of the crash, the plane suddenly rose rapidly and began to increase its altitude when it was about to land in Grozny. There was heavy fog at the time, and the crew tried to land the plane in Grozny three times, but all failed. An explosion occurred during the third attempt to land.
29 survivors rescued from plane crash in Kazakhstan
