Lester Lowane, a survivor of the recent 7.3 magnitude earthquake in Vanuatu, shared his harrowing experience from his hospital bed, where he is recuperating from injuries sustained during the disaster. The 24-year-old university student was out Christmas shopping with his mother when the earthquake struck, causing chaos in the Billabong shop they had just entered.
In those critical moments, Lowane described feeling the building shake violently and realizing the seriousness of the situation far too late. He and his mother sought an escape through locked doors, but unfortunately, they were unable to reach safety before the structure collapsed. A heavy cement post fell mere centimeters from him, knocking him unconscious under the weight of falling debris and leading to a fractured jaw.
When he regained consciousness, Lowane found himself surrounded by darkness and concrete dust, worried for his mother who lay unconscious beside him but was ultimately safe under some fallen clothes. After assessing their surroundings and realizing they were trapped yet had a pocket of air, Lowane made the difficult decision to call for help. He eventually reached his cousin, informing him of their situation and requesting urgent assistance.
Emergency responders arrived but it took 24 hours for the search and rescue teams to extract them safely from the rubble by cutting through concrete. Fortunately, Lowane’s mother and the other survivor escaped with only minor injuries.
Although grappling with fear from aftershocks in the days that followed, Lowane expressed gratitude for having survived the traumatic event and acknowledged the support from his family. He emphasized his focus on recovery as he prepares to pursue an education in aviation management.
In light of the devastation from the earthquake, which claimed 14 lives and displaced over 2,000 people, local authorities are now concentrating on clearing debris and restoring essential services. Optimistically, 99% of the roads have been cleared, and a significant amount of power and water services have been restored.
As Vanuatu continues to recover, the resilience of its people shines through. Lowane’s gratitude towards those who assisted during the crisis serves as a reminder that, even in the darkest moments, community support and solidarity play a vital role in healing.
This story not only highlights the perils faced during natural disasters but also underlines the enduring human spirit and capacity for recovery.
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