A 7.3 magnitude earthquake erupted off the coast of Vanuatu on Tuesday, damaging infrastructure, spurring landslides and causing power and communications outages in the South Pacific island nation.
The earthquake erupted about 18 miles west of Port Vila, according to the U.S. Geological Survey.
The earthquake caused the building that houses several Western embassies to partially collapse. Elsewhere, locals reported that people appeared to be trapped in downtown buildings in Port Vila and a landslide on one road had covered a bus.
France ambassador to Vanuatu Jean-Baptiste Jeangene Vilmer wrote on X that flights have been suspended.
The destruction raises the question of whether cruise ships scheduled to call in Vanuatu in the coming days will do so.
Royal Caribbean International's Quantum of the Seas called at Mystery Island on Tuesday and is scheduled to call at Port Vila on Wednesday and again on Christmas Eve.
The Carnival Luminosa plans to call at Champagne Bay, Espiritu Santo on Dec. 22, and Port Vila on Dec. 23. Cunard's Queen Elizabeth is expected to call at Port Vila on Dec. 28 and Luganville on Dec. 29.
Carnival Corp. issued a statement saying it is deeply saddened to hear of the earthquake and its team is actively monitoring the situation and is in contact with authorities to determine whether it will need to adjust itineraries.