Magnitude 7.3 earthquake damages US embassy in Vanuatu

LONDON – The US Embassy in Port Vila was damaged on Tuesday when a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the South Pacific island nation of Vanuatu.

The embassy, ​​located in the capital on the island of Efate, “suffered significant damage during the earthquake and is closed until further notice,” U.S. officials said in an alert. All employees who were in the building at the time of the quake were safe and accounted for, officials said in a later update on social media.

“Our thoughts are with everyone affected by this earthquake, and the U.S. government will work closely with our partners in Vanuatu,” the update said.

The earthquake struck about 2 miles west of the capital just before 1 p.m. local time, the US Geological Survey said. A series of aftershocks followed, but no tsunami warnings were issued.

“The U.S. Embassy is hearing reports that flights to and from Vanuatu have been canceled,” the embassy said in the alert. “There are also reports of landslides in the Port Vila area.”

“People are advised to avoid entering buildings as they may be damaged or unstable,” the warning said.

The embassy opened in July, Matthew Miller, a State Department spokesman, said at the time.

ABC News’ Joe Simonetti contributed to this report.