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
The Palestinian death toll from the Israeli attacks in the Gaza Strip has risen to 52,418, with over 118,000 others injured, since the Israel-Hamas conflict broke out in early October 2023, said Gaza-based health authorities in a statement on Thursday.
In the past 24 hours, at least 18 Palestinians were killed, and 77 others were injured in the Israeli military operations in the enclave, according to the statement.
On Thursday, Israel launched an air strike on a building in Khan Younis in southern Gaza, claiming eight lives, while Gaza City in the northern Gaza Strip also suffered strikes, with four killed.
Al-Qassam Brigades, the armed wing of Hamas, announced on Thursday that the group had launched an ambush on an Israeli military convoy in Rafah in southern Gaza, killing and injuring several Israeli soldiers. So far, the Israeli side has not responded to this.
Eyal Zamir, chief of the General Staff of the Israel Defense Forces (IDF), said Thursday that Israel is dealing with a complex multi-front war, and the most prominent challenge at present is to bring the detainees back to Israel.
Zamir said the IDF will deliver a decisive strike against Hamas if necessary, but he did not elaborate further on this.
On the same day, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that it is a very important goal to have the detainees released, but Israel's top goal is to defeat Hamas and it must be achieved.
The Israeli Army Radio reported that Netanyahu is expected to hold a special meeting with senior defense officials on Friday, and the Israeli forces will intensify their military operations in the Gaza Strip after the meeting.
Palestinian death toll in Gaza rises to 52,418
