2 Chinese nationals confirmed killed in Vanuatu earthquake

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows rescuers working on the site of a building toppled by an earthquake in Port Vila, Vanuatu, Dec. 17, 2024. Gu Zihua, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu, said in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday that the two Chinese citizens killed in an earthquake in Vanuatu were from Fujian Province, and their names and other information has been confirmed. At least 14 people have been killed and hundreds more injured after a major earthquake struck Vanuatu on Tuesday. (Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu/Handout via Xinhua)

SUVA, Dec. 18 (Xinhua) -- Gu Zihua, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu, said in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday that the two Chinese citizens killed in an earthquake in Vanuatu were from Fujian Province, and their names and other information has been confirmed.

Gu said after the 7.3-magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu on Tuesday, the embassy has been strengthening contact with the local police to verify the situation of Chinese citizens in the country and learn about the latest casualty statistics.

He said the two victims both held Chinese passports. The embassy has expressed condolences to their relatives and asked about their needs. It is currently communicating with Vanuatu authorities and doing its utmost to assist in follow-up matters.

Three Chinese were reportedly trapped in a collapsed self-built building after the quake hit Vanuatu on Tuesday. Staff from the embassy and Chinese companies in Vanuatu rushed to rescue the trapped people until late at night, with two saved and one killed.

Another Chinese national was killed in a shop building that collapsed in the quake in the center of the capital, Port Vila.

Gu said that after the earthquake, the embassy actively coordinated the Chinese medical team, enterprises and other institutions in Vanuatu to participate in the rescue work.

They also visited local hospitals and homes of overseas Chinese to learn about the situation to offer consular services to protect the rights and interests of Chinese citizens.

The embassy has strengthened communication with the Vanuatu government to learn about its post-earthquake rescue and relief needs, Gu added.

According to the counselor, Vanuatu's water supply and power supply are gradually restored, but communication is still unstable.

As there were multiple aftershocks after Tuesday's quake, many Chinese institutions and enterprises staff in Vanuatu slept outdoors at night, he said.

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows rescuers working on the site of a building toppled by an earthquake in Port Vila, Vanuatu, Dec. 17, 2024. Gu Zihua, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu, said in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday that the two Chinese citizens killed in an earthquake in Vanuatu were from Fujian Province, and their names and other information has been confirmed.

At least 14 people have been killed and hundreds more injured after a major earthquake struck Vanuatu on Tuesday. (Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows a building damaged in an earthquake in Port Vila, Vanuatu, Dec. 17, 2024. Gu Zihua, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu, said in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday that the two Chinese citizens killed in an earthquake in Vanuatu were from Fujian Province, and their names and other information has been confirmed.

At least 14 people have been killed and hundreds more injured after a major earthquake struck Vanuatu on Tuesday. (Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu/Handout via Xinhua)

This photo taken with a mobile phone shows buildings damaged in an earthquake in Port Vila, Vanuatu, Dec. 17, 2024. Gu Zihua, counselor of the Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu, said in an interview with Xinhua on Wednesday that the two Chinese citizens killed in an earthquake in Vanuatu were from Fujian Province, and their names and other information has been confirmed.

At least 14 people have been killed and hundreds more injured after a major earthquake struck Vanuatu on Tuesday. (Chinese Embassy in Vanuatu/Handout via Xinhua)