Vanuatu hit by 6.2 magnitude earthquake

Port Vila, Vanuatu: A strong earthquake struck Vanuatu’s capital Port Vila on Tuesday, with eyewitnesses reporting violent shaking and the US Geological Survey measuring a shallow 6.2-magnitude quake just off the coast.

“Wow, haven’t felt one like that in years. My heart’s still in my mouth,” local journalist Dan McGarry posted on Twitter, “very large lateral movement”.

Authorities said the quake occurred 90 kilometres west of the city at a depth of just 10 kilometres. According to the Pacific warning centre, there was no immediate tsunami threat.