In Vanuatu, a South Pacific Ocean nation made up of roughly 80 islands, a search operation is underway for people trapped under rubble a day after a 7.4 magnitude earthquake struck the capital, Port Vila. Vanuatu Police Commissioner Robson Iavro confirmed in a video message that at least 14 people have been killed so far, including two Chinese nationals, and damaging commercial buildings, embassies, and a hospital. He said more than 200 people have been injured in two buildings that collapsed due to the shocks. According to the Red Cross, there has been significant damage across Vanuatu.

The US Geological Survey said the 7.3-magnitude shallow earthquake caused strong shaking near the capital at 12:47 local time.

Australian officials today departed for Vanuatu to aid search and rescue efforts following a major earthquake. Australia’s Disaster Assistance Response Team (DART) sent its first relief crews to Vanuatu on board a Royal Australian Air Force C-17 Globemaster bound for Port Vila this afternoon.

Dickinson Tevi, Secretary-General of the Vanuatu Red Cross Society, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation that he expects the death toll to increase.

DART’s task force leader, Douglas May, said that the relief crew, made up of firefighters, paramedics, engineers, doctors, and canine search and rescue teams, expects a difficult job ahead.

The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs estimated that around one lakh 16 thousand people had been affected by the earthquake.