5 December, 2025, 4:36 pm Central - 27°C Clear

Fijians in Vanuatu share updates but connectivity challenges continue
Vanuatu rocked by second 6.1 magnitude quake this morning

Fijians in Vanuatu share updates but connectivity challenges continue

Vanuatu rocked by second 6.1 magnitude quake this morning

By Rashika Kumar
18/12/2024
Photo: Mateo24News

As getting in touch with family in Vanuatu is still difficult following the magnitude 7.3 earthquake yesterday, Fijians in Port Vila have been able to get some information out through social media.

Maseikula Niumataiwalu who lives in Port Vila, in a facebook post says they are safe, apart from a few scratches.

He says his family spent the night at a friend’s place as their place is right by the water and there might still be a risk of a tsunami.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs is yet to give an update on Fijian nationals in Vanuatu due to connectivity issues.

People have been able to get online through Starlink and satellite phones.

Port Vila resident, Micheal Thompson who is part of the rescue efforts and has been providing updates on the situation says internet cable is good but server racks and power supply was damaged.

He says the communications team is currently working on getting the landing station for the fibre cable up and running.

Vodafone Vanuatu says their technical team has successfully restored international voice services but are working to resolve their internet services.

They say this means that family members and loved ones overseas can now reconnect and call Vanuatu without any interruptions.

Digicel has yet to provide an update on their services but people within Vanuatu have been able to call each other while on the Digicel network.

Meanwhile, Vanuatu has been rocked by a second 6.1 magnitude earthquake this morning.

At least 14 people have died and hundreds are injured, according to the Red Cross.

National broadcaster VBTC showed footage of vehicles crushed under the debris of collapsed buildings and boulders strewn across a highway.

Drone footage showed landslips near a shipping terminal.

Caretaker Prime Minister, Charlot Salwai, declared a state of emergency and said a curfew would be imposed for seven days in the worst affected areas.

International assistance has been requested.

Source: sbs.com.au


FEATURE NEWS
Let us not have constitutional consultations merely to tick a box, AG's Office must include the GCC in talks - President
The fact that we have had four Constitutions means that we have tried and failed to establish a foundation that is acceptable to the majority of the p...
3 hours ago
LATEST NEWS
$140,000 renovation project of Empower Pacific Counselling Centre aims to provide improved services
A $140,000 renovation project, funded through a donation by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, has soft-launched the Empower Pacific ...
1 minute ago

Tourism Fiji strengthens its engagement with operators in Vanua Levu and Taveuni
A platform for open discussion on opportunities, constraints, and pathways to improve tourism outcomes in Vanua Levu and Taveuni was the main focus ...
27 minutes ago

Vou makes history as first Fijians to headline major NZ Arts Festival
A proud moment for Fiji’s creative industry is on the horizon, as Vou Dance Company prepares to make history on two of New Zealand’s major arts ...
2 hours ago

Family left homeless after house fire in Navicula Village, Korovou
A family is left homeless after a property fire completely destroyed their one-bedroom home in Navicula Village, Korovou, on Wednesday afternoon.The ...
2 hours ago

Electrical fire in one of the maternity ward rooms at CWM Hospital controlled
An electrical fire occurred in one of the rooms of the Maternity Unit's Ante-Natal Care Department at the CWM Hospital.The fire has been ...
2 hours ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Fiji Law Society Convention 2025
There is a constant struggle that we seem to have in Fiji with upholding and respecting the rule of law, and in my view, I think it starts at the ...
6 hours ago

Tribunal case of suspended Commissioner of Corrections Dr Nakarawa
Tribunal proceedings for suspended Corrections Commissioner Dr Nakarawa are underway, focusing on allegations of misbehaviour during his tenure as ...
6 hours ago

Inspire Pacific Founder Ben Morrison and Peer Mentor Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan
Pastor Ben Morrison and Tikiko Tavualevu on fijivillage Straight Talk with Vijay Narayan as they discuss Inspire Pacific’s specialised ...
1 day ago

TOP