Vanuatu earthquake: Death toll “expected to climb” as health care systems overwhelmed

Authorities say the death toll in Vanuatu has hit 14 and is "expected to climb further," after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake devastated the capital city of Port Vila on Monday, injuring hundreds and destroying mass infrastructure. Speaking on the “overwhelming” demand for medical attention following the tremour, Respond Global’s health emergency response director, Dr. Basil Leodoro, told reporters that “The emergency department has been working overnight triaging, preparing patients for the operating theatre.” Dr. Leodoro said Vanuatu, which is a South Pacific island east of Australia, is “no stranger to natural disasters,” but that Monday’s disaster “took everyone by surprise.” The United Nations (UN) Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that 116,000 people, which is around one-third of the country's population, had been affected by the earthquake, resulting in the declaration of a five-day state of emergency. For more info, please go to https://globalnews.ca Subscribe to Global News Channel HERE: http://bit.ly/20fcXDc Like Global News on Facebook HERE: http://bit.ly/255GMJQ Follow Global News on X HERE: http://bit.ly/1Toz8mt Follow Global News on Instagram HERE: https://bit.ly/2QZaZIB #GlobalNews #Vanuatu #Earthquake