A powerful 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck the islands of Vanuatu, leading to extensive damage to infrastructure, including the recently opened U.S. embassy. Reports indicate numerous landslides, with emergency services overwhelmed. Eyewitness accounts detail serious injuries and fatalities. A small tsunami of 1 meter hit Port Vila, prompting evacuations. The earthquake is considered the largest in over 20 years for the region, raising fears of increasing death tolls amid ongoing rescue efforts.