There was a 7.3 magnitude earthquake near Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila, destroying buildings and other infrastructure.
The earthquake occurred at 12:47 local time (01:47 GMT) at a depth of 57.1km, according to the United States Geological Survey (USGS).
It briefly triggered a tsunami warning for parts of the Pacific island nation, but officials said as of 14:14 local time that the threat had passed.
The extent of the damage is not yet clear, but there are unconfirmed reports of at least one death.
Dan McGarry, a journalist living in Port Vila, said the police at Vila Central Hospital told him that one person had died.
McGarry said he saw three people “seriously injured” by hospital guards waiting for treatment. The earthquake was “the biggest I’ve seen in 20-plus years,” he added.
Pictures on social media show collapsed buildings, cars hit by fallen panels and furniture strewn on the floor inside houses. Residents report poor communication.
The US embassy in Port Vila is among the damaged buildings, according to pictures posted online.
US officials said the building suffered “extensive damage” and will be closed until further notice.
“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this earthquake and the US government will work closely with our partners in Vanuatu,” the embassy in Papua New Guinea said in a statement.
Michael Thompson, director of entertainment company Vanuatu Jungle Zipline, told AFP he saw bodies lying on the streets.
“There are a lot of buildings that have collapsed in the city. There is a huge rescue operation for people who may be alive in the building,” said Mr Thompson, in a separate video posted on Facebook.
“Most communications are gone.”
The USGS reported at least four aftershocks near Port Vila – ranging in magnitude from 4.7 to 5.5 – in the two hours after the first quake.
Authorities in neighboring New Zealand and Australia said there was no tsunami threat in their countries.
Australia also said it “stands ready to support Vanuatu as the extent of the damage is assessed”.
“Vanuatu is family and we will always be there in times of need,” Foreign Minister Penny Wong wrote on X.
Vanuatu, a low-lying archipelago of about 80 islands, is in a volatile region and is prone to frequent major earthquakes and other natural disasters.
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