Efforts to recover bodies of people trapped in collapsed buildings continues in the earthquake-hit Pacific nation of Vanuatu.

A powerful earthquake hit the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, damaging buildings in the capital, Port Vila, including one housing the U.S. Embassy. A witness said bodies were seen in the city.

A 7.3 magnitude earthquake hit Vanuatu on Tuesday, December 17 that has destroyed buildings across the capital of Port Vila with 14 confirmed deaths and more expected as recovery efforts get underway.

Information was scarce because internet communications were cut, but photos showed the U.S. Embassy was significantly damaged. All personnel were reported safe.

A deadly earthquake has struck the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu, damaging buildings in the capital, including one housing the U.S. embassy.

Six people are reportedly dead, and buildings and cars are damaged after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake hit the capital of Vanuatu, a country west of Fiji. On Tuesday, the earthquake struck less than 20 miles west of Port Vila, Vanuatu's capital, according to the United States Geological Survey.

The number of people killed and missing remains unclear two days after a magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu

A magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck off the coast of Vanuatu, causing widespread destruction and triggering a tsunami warning. The U.S. embassy in the capital Port Vila was among the buildings that were damaged.

WELLINGTON, New Zealand (AP) — A powerful magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck just off the coast of Vanuatu on Tuesday, causing widespread destruction in the South Pacific island nation as the injured began arriving at a hospital and unconfirmed reports of casualties emerged.