December 18, 2024: Rescue teams in Vanuatu are intensifying their efforts to find survivors of the powerful 7.3-magnitude earthquake that struck the Pacific nation on Tuesday, as the death toll has been revised to at least nine people. The earthquake, which hit off the main island at 12:47 pm local time (0147 GMT), caused widespread devastation, with several buildings collapsing and landslides burying residents in rubble.

In the capital city of Port Vila, rescuers worked tirelessly overnight to locate survivors trapped under the debris of a three-story shop. Michael Thompson, a local resident, spoke to AFP by satellite phone and described the tense efforts to save those still alive. "We got three people out that were trapped. Unfortunately, one of them did not make it," Thompson said.

Despite the devastation, hope remained as rescuers reported hearing faint signs of life beneath the rubble. "When we went quiet, we could hear three people signaling that they were alive," Thompson explained. "There's tonnes and tonnes of rubble on top of them, and two rather significant concrete beams that have pancaked down. They’re lucky to be in a bit of a void."

Approximately 80 people, including police, medical personnel, trained rescue workers, and volunteers, have joined forces to dig through the debris using excavators, jackhammers, and concrete saws. AFP photos captured the heavy machinery at work, clearing the collapsed building as dust filled the air, with rescuers scrambling to remove the concrete and rubble weighing down survivors.

As the search for survivors continues, authorities are bracing for the possibility of more casualties, with further aftershocks feared. Local emergency services and international aid groups have been mobilized to provide assistance to those affected by the quake.

The 7.3-magnitude earthquake is the latest natural disaster to strike the region, which is known for its seismic activity due to its position on the Pacific "Ring of Fire."