SUVA, Jan. 15 (Xinhua) -- Over 90 buildings, including more than 200 businesses within the Central Business District (CBD) of Port Vila, the capital of Vanuatu, remain under lockdown following the 7.3-magnitude earthquake on Dec. 17, 2024, with hundreds of employees losing their jobs.

According to the local media Daily Post on Wednesday, the area, once the busiest hub on Efate Island, is now deserted. No businesses are operating, with only security guards and police officers present to safeguard the remaining buildings from theft and manage traffic around the Port Vila CBD.

Some essential businesses, such as banks and cash transfer services, have relocated and retained their employees. Other businesses outside the CBD have hired some of the displaced workers.

However, hundreds remain unemployed.

The CBD remains closed because most of the buildings affected by the earthquake are still considered unsafe and classified as risk zones, the report said.

Although assessments have been conducted visually, further evaluations are necessary.

The Recovery Operations Center confirmed that they approved the work that will be carried out by New Zealand, Australian, and Japanese engineers. Enditem

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