A Vanuatu resident says yesterday's earthquakes caused panic throughout the island nation.
The first quake, with a magnitude of 7.8, was followed by a series of tremors, including two more of magnitude 7 or greater.
Residents evacuated coastal areas after a tsunami warning was issued for the entire southwest Pacific .
Fiona Kalotiti, who lives about 10 minutes from the capital Port Villa, says residents ran for safety.
"There was news going around that there was going to be a tsunami. There was panicking everywhere and there was rushing. Some of the offices in town were closed and we had to get home quickly, pick up the kids from school and get to a place somewhere up high."
Fiona Kalotiti says residents are still worried, despite tsunami warnings being cancelled after a four-centimetre tsunami was recorded on Vanuatu's northern island of Espiritu Santo.
