18 Mar 2015

No fatalities on Erromango after Pam

1:11 pm on 18 March 2015

The Vanuatu authorities say an initial assessment of Erromango, which suffered a direct hit by Cyclone Pam, shows extensive damage but there are no reports of fatalities.

11 people are confirmed to have been killed across the country.

The spokesperson of the National Disaster Management Office, Benjamin Shing, says after assessments in the south, teams are being sent to the northern areas.

Mr Shing also says telecommunications are being restored.

"We have got satphones in the provinces and can now speak to the secretary-generals who are the chairpersons of the provincial disaster committees and that gives us a good information flow back to HQ for our assessments and our responses."

The first images emerge of destruction in Tanna, Vanuatu, after Cyclone Pam.

Destruction on the island of Tanna which neighbours Erromango in the Vanuatu archipelago Photo: SUPPLIED / Jeremy Pinero