Damage at a store on Santo following 7.3 earthquake on Monday, 30 March 2026.
Photo: VBTC’s Rani Taviti
The head of the Sanma Provincial Disaster and Climate Change Committee says an urgent meeting will be held on Tuesday morning in the wake of an earthquake on Monday night.
The US Geological Survey reported the 7.3 quake hit 35 kilometres northeast of Luganville, Vanuatu, around 7:45pm local time.
Johnathan Iavere told VBTC News the Committee will convene to quickly assess the damage in the province, and prepare a rapid report to be submitted to the government.
The Vanuatu Meteorology and Geo-hazards Department said people living in the provinces of Sanma, Torba, Penama and Malampa would have felt the quake.
Items in a store in Santo fell of the shelves following the massive quake.
Photo: VBTC’s Rani Taviti
Malampa Province president Jeppy Talo confirmed to VBTC News there was no reported damage and no injuries in his province.
He said a power outage lasted for about one hour.
No damage has been reported in Torba.
Similar reports were received from Ambae where the islanders said this was one of the strongest earthquakes ever felt on the island.
The US Geological Survey also reported a magnitude 5 shake, 42 kilometres east-north-east of Luganville, just after 8pm Monday night.