The United States Tsunami Warning System issued a tsunami alert for Vanuatu and other Pacific islands, including Fiji, Kiribati, New Caledonia, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Tuvalu following a strong 7.3-earthquake that hit Vanuatu.
According to the US Geological Survey (USGS), the earthquake's epicenter was located about 30 kilometers west of Port Vila, the capital city with a population of around 44,040. The tremor struck at a depth of 57.1 kilometers.
There have been no reports of casualties or major damage so far, although the region stays on high alert.