7.3 earthquake strikes near Vanuatu live updates: Bodies seen after buildings destroyed, tsunami threat passes

7.3 earthquake strikes near Vanuatu live updates: Bodies seen after buildings destroyed, tsunami threat passes

Bodies have been seen as rescuers comb through the rubble of buildings which collapsed when a 7.3 earthquake struck the island nation of Vanuatu this afternoon.

A major search and rescue operation is underway as those on the ground scramble to find survivors.

HGENEWS News Agency reported that bodies could be seen in the capital Port Vila after the strong quake collapsed bridges, triggered landslides and severely damaged multiple buildings.

The woman, one of 45 New Zealanders registered in the Pacific nation, was in a store on the waterfront of Fatumaru Bay in Port Vila as the 57km-deep quake levelled buildings in the capital around 2.47pm (NZ time).

“It just went off like nothing I’ve ever experienced before,” the woman, who didn’t wish to be named, told the Herald.

A large 7.4 magnitude earthquake has struck in the Pacific near Vanuatu

• There are reports buildings have collapsed in Vanuatu's Port Vila

• The tsunami threat has been lifted

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