Port Vila residents near earthquake-damaged buildings living in fear

It has been a month since the 7.3 magnitude strong earthquake struck Port Vila on December 17, 2024. The earthquake caused damage to some buildings, leaving residents living near these dangerous structures in fear. Recurring aftershocks have further exacerbated the instability of already fragile building structures, prompting some residents to call for urgent action.

The most concerning situation involves two severely damaged buildings: one located near the Ministry of Lands road leading to Tebakor and Tagabe, and the other, a building locally known as the “Wang Building” in Tagabe. These buildings, described as “leaning and on the verge of collapse,” have become a potential hazard to anyone nearby.

“We are not safe”

One of the most alarming situations is that a small residential community lives right next to the damaged building near the Ministry of Lands. Rose Taun Moses, a concerned mother and resident in the area, expressed her fears for her family's safety. “We live under this building, and it’s not safe,” Moses said. “After the earthquake, this building was damaged, but now, with the aftershocks, it's leaning even more, almost collapsing.”

Moses explained that while some residents nearby have evacuated, her family has nowhere else to go. “We don’t have anywhere else to stay, so we have to remain here,” she said. She directly appealed to the authorities and the owners: “We need these buildings to be demolished to ensure our safety. I hope the owners of these buildings take responsibility and demolish them for the safety of our children and families.”

Despite the increasing danger and repeated calls from residents, efforts to get a response from the Recovery Operations Center (ROC) have so far been unsuccessful. Residents say that time is running out as aftershocks continue to unpredictably hit the area. Moses emphasized the urgency of the situation: “We are still experiencing bricks falling. If the authorities or owners don’t act quickly, the consequences could be tragic.”