Pacific

Vanuatu quake victims short of water

13:15 pm on 3 June 2009

The police in Vanuatu's Tangoa Island say people need clean water urgently after yesterday's earthquake destroyed the island's main water supply.

Five people suffered minor injuries and the 6.5-magnitude quake damaged buildings, foodgardens and a water reservoir.

Inspector Paul Thomson says they need help.

"We have a problem with water, because here we live with rainwater that's collected into the crown well, so when the crown well is destroyed or damaged from the earthquake we have a big problem. Only two or three wells are still Ok, but that's not enough for the population. We need to find help somewhere to give us water."

Paul Thomson says it's still unclear how many houses have been damaged.