PINA

Vanuatu on Wednesday took stock of damage from a powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake that killed at least 14 people and collapsed buildings in the capital, as the first trickle of international assistance began arriving in the disaster-prone Pacific nation. The quake rattled the island nation, not long after midday on Tuesday, sending people in restaurants and shops running into the...

There are warnings the death toll is likely to rise as rescue efforts continue in Vanuatu for people trapped in collapsed buildings. The government confirmed Wednesday at least 14 people had died, though a former Vanuatu prime minister said officials told him that had already risen to 19. Hundreds more were injured. International military and emergency support was on the way,...

Dozens of Vanuatu workers returning home from working on orchards and vineyards in New Zealand are stuck in Fiji with commercial flights yet to resume to the quakestricken country. Local authorities said on Wednesday the Bauerfield International Airport would likely remain closed until at least Saturday. Similar scenes were playing out for their colleagues across the ditch, with Australian airlines the...

In a significant move to support regional solidarity, Papua New Guinea Prime Minister James Marape has announced that the National Executive Council (NEC) has approved a K20 million (US$4.95 million) relief package to assist the government and people of Vanuatu in the wake of the devastating earthquake that struck the island nation earlier this week. The funding will enable immediate deployment...

Rusiate Tudravu has been named by the Constitutional Offices Commission as recommended Fiji Police Commissioner and to take up role after being endorsed by President Ratu Naiqama Lalabalavu. Tudravu is not new to the Police Force having spent 39 years before tendering his resignation in August 2021. Tudravu was holding the position of deputy Commissioner when he resigned. He also served as...

The PNG NRL Bid is excited to announce that in 2025, they will embark on a community engagement process to name the 2028 NRL team. This initiative will involve schools, community groups, and rugby league fans across Papua New Guinea. The Bid is committed to engaging with the community and involving fans in developing the franchise. To allow fans to contribute...

World Vision's Vanuatu country director says electricity and water are still affected in Port Vila and strategic bridges connecting the city are damaged, nearly 24 hours after a 7.3 earthquake just before 1pm Tuesday afternoon. The city has had multiple aftershocks since, with the strongest on Wednesday morning reaching a magnitude 5.5. At least 14 people are confirmed to have been...

New Zealand is providing Vanuatu assistance following Tuesday's devastating earthquake, Foreign Minister Winston Peters says. “Vanuatu is a member of our Pacific family and we are supporting it in this time of acute need,” Peters said. “Our thoughts are with the people of Vanuatu, and we will be doing all we can to help. “A New Zealand military surveillance plane is due...

A second earthquake has struck Vanuatu, as the death toll from Tuesday’s deadly quake rose and an international search and rescue operation got underway. With communications down, the official death toll was not yet known. But at least 14 people were reportedly killed and 200 have been treated for injuries, according to Katie Greenwood, a Fiji-based regional head of the...

Vanuatu Red Cross Secretary General Dickinson Tevi says two women and a child were among those trapped in collapsed buildings in Port Vila. Tevi said at least two buildings came “crashing down” and people remained trapped. “Work is still going on to try and get people out.” Tevi said he was told of three people - two women and a child -...