11 Nov 2010

Another theft of geo hazards equipment in Vanuatu

5:37 pm on 11 November 2010

Thieves in Vanuatu have again stolen equipment of the department of geo-hazard used to track earthquakes.

In the latest theft, the department lost a seismometre and radio transmitter from its site at Devil's Point about 20 kilometres from Port Vila.

Last month, equipment worth more than 30,000 US dollars was stolen from another site on the island of Efate.

The department's technical advisor, Sylvain Totman, says thefts have handicapped the government of Vanuatu to be able to supply the information about earthquakes and tsunami to the people of Efate and offshore islands.

Mr Totman has appealed to chiefs and community leaders in Efate to help recover the equipment.