Vanuatu government websites were offline in the aftermath of the quake and phone numbers for the police and other public agencies did not connect.

The US Geological Survey says a large 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu's capital Port Vila on Tuesday.

The US Geological Survey says a large 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu's capital Port Vila on Tuesday.

A Boeing 757 to transport freight and enable evacuation will also fly to Vanuatu.

A Boeing 757 to transport freight and enable evacuation will also fly to Vanuatu.

Buildings were flattened after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck near Vanuatu.

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake has struck off the coast of Vanuatu.

A magnitude 7.3 earthquake has struck off the coast of Vanuatu.

The death toll is expected to rise because concrete buildings have collapsed with people inside, in the capital Port Vila.

Vanuatu has been hit by a second earthquake, measuring 6.1 in magnitude, with the death toll now rising to 14.