2 Jun 2009

Major quake in Vanuatu damages buildings, injures several people

9:38 pm on 2 June 2009

A strong 6.5-magnitude quake shook Vanuatu this afternoon, causing landslips and damaging buildings on the small island of Tangoa.

The quake struck at a depth of 39 kilometres about 45 kilometres west of the capital Port Vila.

Earlier in the day, a 5.1 magnitude quake hit in the same area.

Our correspondent in Port Vila, Len Garae, says this tremor was felt in the capital, but Tangoa, which is a centrally located small island, was hit hardest.

"There were buildings that have been damaged, the walls are cracked, and there are landslides off the mountains around the island."

Police in Tangoa say four people have been injured.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii said the 6.5 quake was not expected to generate a destructive tsunami.