14 Dead, Rescue Crews Dispatched to Vanuatu After 2nd 6.1 Earthquake Strikes Pacific

The tiny island nation of Vanuatu has been rocked by two earthquakes and a number of aftershocks, with reports at least 14 people have died.

This photo shows a general view of a severely damaged building housing the embassies of the United States, United Kingdom, and New Zealand after a powerful earthquake struck Port Vila, the capital city of Vanuatu, on Dec. 17, 2024. STR/AFP via Getty Images

Australia is sending rescuers and medical teams to Vanuatu amid fears the death toll from the Pacific nation’s second earthquake in 24 hours could increase.

A magnitude 6.1 earthquake was reported early on Dec. 18 and followed a 7.2 magnitude offshore earthquake around noon on Dec. 17. It prompted a tsunami warning to the Pacific Islands which was later cancelled.