The death toll from an earthquake that struck Vanuatu on Tuesday has risen to 14, as search teams claw through piles of rubble in an attempt to locate survivors.
Two hundred others are being treated for injuries, with powerful aftershocks from the 7.3-magnitude tremor reported overnight.
The disaster damaged structures, including the offices of the US, France, the UK and New Zealand. It furthermore cut electricity and wireless services.
Authorities in Vanuatu claim that search and rescue operations are being conducted in a seven-day state of emergency.
According to the state, four of the casualties were taken to a hospital in Port Vila, the capital city. Six were from a flood, while four were from a crashed building, where the toll was expected to rise further.
According to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, an estimated 116, 000 persons may be affected by the worst effects of the earthquake.
Deputy Prime Minister Richard Marles told ABC News on Wednesday that neighboring Australia would send groups to help with the search and rescue efforts.
Volunteers sifting through dust by hand and crawling under the flooring of collapsed buildings were captured in images from the Vanuatu Police’s Facebook post.
From the wreckage of one three-storey building, volunteers heard the voices of at least three persons, Vanuatu resident Michael Thompson told AFP media company.
Thompson said firefighters used “everything we can get our arms on”, including bob hammer, grinders and practical saws, to liberate individuals.
The earthquake struck at 12: 47 local time ( 01: 47 GMT ) on Tuesday and triggered a brief tsunami warning.
Vanuatu, a low-lying island of some 80 territories in the South Pacific, is located north of Fiji and thousands of kilometres south of northern Australia.
The country is situated in a seismically active place, and is prone to frequent, powerful disasters and other natural disasters.