Major Quake Rattles Vanuatu

Thousands of people in the Pacific island nation of Vanuatu headed for the hills today as a magnitude 7.5 earthquake hit and triggered a small tsunami. No injuries or serious damage were reported despite the strength of the quake, which witness said shook buildings for at least 10 seconds, Reuters reports. A tsunami warning is still in place for islands in the region.

It was "a very sharp quake—it was the worst I have felt in my life," a police spokesman told AP. "Many people left the center of town and went to higher places, fearing a tsunami," he said. "We're still experiencing sharp aftershocks and all communications were lost for a time, but things are coming back to normal now." Many power lines were downed and buildings are being checked for structural damage.
(More Vanuatu stories.)