Building pancaked: 7.4-magnitude quake strikes Vanuatu

A 7.4-magnitude earthquake struck Vanuatu's capital Port Vila on Dec 17, with the United Nations reporting six unconfirmed deaths, and damage to two reservoirs and a hospital.

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State broadcaster VBTC showed footage of vehicles crushed under the debris of collapsed buildings and boulders strewn across a highway. Drone footage showed landslides near a shipping terminal.

Communications networks on the Pacific archipelago were down, New Zealand said.

Australian Foreign Minister Penny Wong said there was significant damage and Canberra was preparing to deploy assistance including search and rescue, and emergency medical teams on Dec 18.

Port Vila's international airport was closed, Vanuatu's High Commission in Canberra said.