Earthquake! Tsunami!

Up to 1000 people displaced in Vanuatu

By Marc Nel-Jones

The earthquake that measured 7.1 on the Richter scale was one of the biggest ever recorded in the Pacific.

The epicentre lay between Pentecost and Ambrym islands, deep under the ocean at latitude 16.5, longitude 168 some 20kms south of Pentecost. It occurred just at midnight on November 26 last year, resulting in the deaths seven people, forming a 30-foot tsunami wave that killed a further three people. There were injuries to scores of people, villages were destroyed and even a 50tonne ship was sunk.

Central Pentecost was the worst affected by the earthquake with about 90 per cent of permanent concrete buildings having suffered structural damage and 30 per cent of local houses toppled in the violent five-minute shakedown.

The Vanuatu National Disaster office believes up to 1000 people have been displaced by the earthquake and tidal wave in Pentecost, and shipped relief

supplies out.

As we went to press 10 deaths had been reported, with one person still on the critical list in hospital. Another four people were medivacced out from

Pentecost to Vila hospital.

The earthquake was one of a series of four that hit the region and was felt strongly in Port Vila. Weeks later, the area still had after-tremors, with Orstrom keeping a close watch on volcanic activity on Ambrym and Ambae.

Private helicopter companies plus the French air reconnaissance plane from Noumea helped the National disaster office assess damage, along with the Red Cross and health officials.

The Vanuatu government asked for financial assistance from the Australian, New Zealand and French governments.

Martelli Bay, Pentecost, after the tidal wave swept through, taking every patch of grass in its path and destroying buildings

In December, the Vanuatu government released vt3o million to assist the Vanuatu Mobile Force (VMF) and for relief supplies.

Telephone communications with large

areas of Pentecost were still cut off as we went to press. Roads were damaged and access to villages was only possible by

helicopter.

The ministry of health mobilised a reconnaissance team of medical personnel from community health and from nearby Ambae island to treat medical injuries. They have voiced concern over possible health epidemics due to lack of water and proper sanitation.

Extensive damage was reported in other parts of Pentecost. Landslides and

deep trenches were widespread

according to pilots involved in reconnaissance of the island.

One of the worst hit was the village of Ena in central Pentecost. A number of stone buildings in the village collapsed, including a Catholic church that was destroyed and killed five.

According to Titus Tari, who narrowly escaped death at the church with his daughter.

“The church wall collapsed outwards and crushed five children and teenagers aged between seven and seventeen who were standing outside as the service had finished.”

Vanuatu’s biggest church, the Catholic mission of Melsisi (West coast of Pentecost), which was built in 1959, also had severe damage to its front and walls.

Father Jean Rodet, head of the Port Vila diocese, said “Another church, further North on the Western coast of Pentecost, was severely damaged in the

Anglican mission of Batnamni village.

Two people died there. This was caused by the earthquake, not the tidal wave.”

In Bay Martelli (population 300), South of Pentecost and close to the epicentre of the earthquake, a 30-foot tsunami roared in, breaking the top of the church located 100 metres from the shore.

It was wiped out. Nothing is left.

Every building and house was destroyed.

Luckily, the villagers were still celebrating a wedding and people were awake at the time of the earthquake.

When they saw the tide race back more than 200 metres, they ran for higher ground.

Only three older people who had been asleep were killed.

If the rest of the villagers had been asleep, the death toll would have been much higher. ■

Martelli Bay in happier times, when the grass was lush and the children were carefree. This village has been destroyed