Bachelor star Samantha Royce who survived deadly Vanuatu earthquake is now in the path of a mammoth landslide – as she relived the shocking moment huge quake struck: ‘Like Thor’s hammer’
EXCLUSIVE
An Australian reality star involved in the deadly earthquake in Vanuatu is now in a race against time to escape a life-threatening landslide.
Bachelor veteran Samantha Royce, 33, was at work on the small Pacific island when the magnitude 7.3 earthquake struck, collapsing buildings and killing at least 12 people.
She immediately went into action in her role at the Australian High Commission, assisting with rescue and recovery operations and coordinating the return of Australians.
But Royce has now been forced to evacuate her own home as heavy rainfall is predicted to trigger further landslides that threaten to sweep away weakened buildings.
And she relived the horror moment when the massive earthquake shook the Pacific island nation.
“It started like all the other earthquakes we see here – and after the first two seconds it intensified so quickly,” she revealed.
‘My colleague and I just looked at each other and I said, “I think this is an under-the-table issue…”
Samantha Royce dated former The Bachelor contestant Jarrod Woodgate for three years
Samantha Royce moved to Vanuatu in January
Large boulders crushed and blocked roads in landslides after the earthquake flattened buildings and killed 12 people
‘It was absolutely terrifying and it didn’t feel real until it stopped and we looked around the room.’
In a post on Instagram, she added: ‘It was like no other earthquake I’ve felt.
‘Often they feel like a swaying or rocking fall, like on a ship in rough seas, but this one was like Thor slamming his hammer down on us.
‘I was on my hands and knees under the table and I was thrown against the table top and fell over.
‘Our computers went flying, pictures fell off the walls, filing cabinets fell over, furniture hit the walls and my mug and bowl fell to the floor.
“It was like someone was throwing things around in an intense tantrum.”
But the disastrous ordeal for the former Australian federal police officer has continued, with fears landsides would unleash new terror and chaos.
“The rain is coming, so I’m just rushing home before the evacuation is in order,” she said in an emotional video on Instagram on Tuesday.
‘I’m going to put everything outside, inside and inside the house and everything that is valuable in my car and go back to stay with a friend.
“I’ll put the dogs in the car and try to pile everything on the tables, keeping my fingers crossed that if the water floods the house, it won’t all end up on the tables.”
Samantha Royce has been working on the evacuation of stranded Australians as part of her role at the High Commission
Entire buildings have been completely wiped out, with people still inside
Samantha Royce has had to pack up her belongings and shelter what she can on tables, hoping they survive a flood as new landslides loom
She has recorded footage of the destruction caused by the earthquake to shops, buildings and cafes across the island
‘It’s been a very tough week, the aftershocks keep coming, we’re all so nervous. Even when a car drives by.
‘Thank you so much for all your messages over the past week, there have been many.’
Royce rose to fame on Matt Agnew’s season of The Bachelor in 2019.
Although she didn’t find love on the show, she dated Jarrod Woodgate, who came second on the Sophie Monks season.
The pair bought a house and a dog together in Darwin, where Sam was based for her AFP role, but eventually called it quits in 2022 after three years.
Sam said she felt like a ‘failure’ for not being able to make their relationship work, but wished Woodgate well.
“I’ve tried everything to make Jarrod happy and it’s hard not to feel like a failure,” she said.
“I know a lot of people are involved in Jarrod’s love story and I wish I could have given you all a happy ending.”
Royce was on Matt Agnew’s season of The Bachelor
After quitting her job with the AFP as a federal agent, she moved to Vanuatu
Woodgate, 36, has been open about his mental health struggles, revealing he suffers from PTSD, anxiety and depression.
Royce left the force in August 2023 and moved to Vanuatu in January to take up her new position at the embassy
Royce grew up on the remote tropical island and was thrilled to be offered the job so she could move closer to her family.
“I’m really excited to have some consistency and be able to call Vanuatu my home for the next two years,” she said of making the move.
‘Here’s the next chapter of sunshine, island dresses, laplap and tropical rain, snorkeling, kava bars, beach days, fruit markets and running on island time.’
She bought a house in the village of Mele, just outside Port Vila, and rescued an island dog.
Yesterday she said her dog Luna is “safe and sound” but is struggling mentally.
“We humans are all quite traumatized,” she said. “It’s like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my life and not what I thought an earthquake would be.
Samantha Royce bought a house in the village of Mele, just outside Port Vila, and rescued an island dog (pictured)
Yesterday, Royce said her dog Luna is “safe and sound” but is struggling mentally.
‘I’m just rushing back home to grab all the valuables.
‘I’ve already packed my laptop and passport, but it’s gotten to the point where I can’t even fathom what’s valuable and what I need to pack.
‘Nothing matters as long as you live. It’s such a surreal feeling. I don’t even think I need anything more, as long as I have the dogs and we’re safe, that’s all that matters.”
Forecasts of heavy rain could also cause flash flooding near low-lying areas and rivers, urging thousands more residents to leave immediately.