Lester Lowane, a 24-year-old university student from Vanuatu, shared his harrowing experience as a survivor of the recent 7.3 magnitude earthquake. Last week, while he was Christmas shopping with his mother in the Billabong store, they found themselves caught in the chaos as the earthquake struck.
Lowane recounts the terrifying moments when the tremors began, noting that he initially thought the shaking would subside. As the intensity increased, he and his mother attempted to escape through a locked door, forcing them to navigate to another exit. Unfortunately, they didn’t reach safety before the building began to collapse, with heavy cement structures crashing down perilously close to him.
When the dust settled, Lowane awoke to an awareness of his injuries—a fractured jaw and significant blood loss, but also gratitude for surviving alongside his mother, who was trapped but unharmed aside from minor bruises. They were eventually located and rescued after spending nearly 24 hours under the rubble. The rescue teams had to cut through the concrete to free them.
Although Lowane experienced fear and anxiety in the days following the disaster, he is now focused on healing physically and mentally, motivated by the support of his family, as well as his aspirations to study Aviation Management next year, thanks to a scholarship.
In his time of reflection, Lowane expressed heartfelt thanks to the rescue teams and international aid, including the New Zealand and Australian governments, for their efforts during this calamity.
Meanwhile, Vanuatu continues to grapple with the aftermath of the earthquake, with over 2,000 people displaced and critical efforts underway to restore infrastructure. Despite the ongoing challenges, the community shows resilience, as evidenced by supportive messages displayed in local businesses.
This story encapsulates human perseverance in the face of natural disasters, highlighting both the individual struggles and the broader community response. With rebuilding efforts progressing, there is hope for recovery and renewal in Vanuatu.
As the state of emergency is set to be reviewed, the resilience of the Vanuatu community shines through their collective support and determination to overcome this adversity.
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