9 December, 2025, 1:26 pm Central - 29°C Rain

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
Mum in shock after her 38-year-old son dies in tragic road accident in Wailevu
A mother is in a state of shock after her 38-year-old son died tragically after he was hit by a vehicle along the Wailevu Stretch in Labasa last nigh...
35 minutes ago
LATEST NEWS
Paramount challenges Netflix deal With higher US$108 Billion offer for Full Warner Bros. takeover
Paramount has gone straight to Warner Bros. Discovery’s shareholders with an all-cash offer in an extraordinary endeavor to gain control of ...
3 minutes ago

FNU graduates reminded education is not only what they know, it is who they become
Education is not only what you know it is who you become. This was highlighted by Sevens Legend, Waisele Serevi during the Fiji National University ...
8 minutes ago

Manasa Loco saves 68-year-old widow trapped in flooded home at Nabua Muslim League Settlement
37-year-old Manasa Loco from Nabua is being hailed a hero after rescuing 68-year-old widow, Maya Lata, who was trapped in rising floodwaters on ...
11 minutes ago

COMPOL Tudravu to appear in a special fijivillage Straight Talk exclusive at 7pm tonight
Police Commissioner, Rusiate Tudravu will appear in a special fijivillage Straight Talk exclusive at 7pm tonight.This interview is based on public ...
17 minutes ago

Car overturns off Belo Street in Samabula
A car has overturned off Belo Street in Samabula in the last hour.Police and three ambulances are currently at the scene. The extent of injuries, if ...
31 minutes ago



Stay tuned for the latest news on our radio stations

CFL radio frequencies
IN DEPTH
Dubai 7s 2025
The Fiji Airways Men’s National 7s side are working on their fitness as they prepare for the start of the 2025/2026 World 7s Series this ...
1 day ago

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 ...
4 days 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 ...
4 days ago

TOP