Magnitude 7.4 earthquake strikes off the coast of Vanuatu sparking tsunami warning

A massive 7.4 magnitude earthquake has struck off the coast of Vanuatu, prompting an urgent tsunami warning.

The earthquake struck 29 km west of Port Vila on Efate Island at a depth of 10 km at 12:47 local time.

Just minutes later, a magnitude 5.5 aftershock was recorded at a depth of 49 km.

The European-Mediterranean Seismological Center (EMSC) has called on those affected by the earthquake to move away from the coast and seek higher ground.

“Follow the instructions of national authorities,” it wrote on X.

There is no tsunami threat to Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed.

Port Vila is located just under 2,000 km from Australia.

From Sydney you can fly to the popular holiday destination in just under four hours.

There’s more to come.

The magnitude 7.4 earthquake struck 29km west of Port Villa on Efate Island at a depth of 10km at 12.47pm local time (photo)

There is no tsunami threat to Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed

There is no tsunami threat to Australia, the Bureau of Meteorology has confirmed