'Terrifying' cyclone slams Vanuatu
SUVA, FIJI — A terrifying tropical cyclone that smashed into Vanuatu has caused "complete devastation", an aid agency said, raising fears that dozens may have died in what may be one of the South Pacific's worst weather disasters.
Published: 14/03/2015 at 05:01 PM
Newspaper section: learning-from-news
The full extent of the damage is unknown, with limited communications in place after Super Cyclone Pam, a maximum category five storm, slammed directly into the island country late Friday with gusts up to 320 kilometres an hour.
The United Nations had unconfirmed reports of 44 people killed in one province.
"While it is too early to say for certain, early reports are indicating that this weather disaster could potentially be one of the worst in Pacific history," said Vivien Maidaborn, the executive director of Unicef New Zealand.