More stranded Australians are set to return home after Vanuatu's worst earthquake this century, amid fears the death toll could rise as damaged infrastructure is searched.
Two defence planes are scheduled to return the Australians to Brisbane on Thursday night, a day after the federal government repatriated 148 citizens on flights following the 7.3-magnitude earthquake that devastated the capital Port Vila.
The federal government has also sent search and rescue teams to boost the disaster recovery effort since the event on Tuesday.
Up to 14 people are feared dead, with nine confirmed including a young mother fresh off a nine-month Queensland work stint.
Rodney Prestia, the chief executive of Labour hire business iComply, said the 26-year-old woman who he identified only as Valerie was crushed in a collapsed building.
"It's an absolute tragedy, and our teams have been really rattled by it," he told AAP.
Former Australian Army infantryman Michael Thompson, a dual Vanuatu-Australian citizen, has worked tirelessly alongside local operations in the rescue effort.
"In a country like Vanuatu, it's a lot of self help, really," Mr Thompson told AAP.
"There's ... a whole bunch of houses that are down, four major buildings that have kind of pancaked, roads that have got massive cracks through them, bridges that have got slight drops in them."
A building in the centre of town had a number of people "in there that were alive that we managed to get out - it's sobering because there are a lot of other people that didn't make it," Mr Thompson said.
No Australians have been confirmed dead in the earthquake to date, with the Red Cross reporting at least 200 people have been injured in the disaster.
"Over the next couple of days as communications improve, we can start to figure out kind of where everyone is, who's missing, what's going on," Mr Thompson said.
The Vanuatu Tourism Office said while Port Vila suffered major damage, many tourism operators remain functional.
"We are pleased to hear that both Santo and Tanna have not been impacted by the earthquake," a spokesperson said.
The international airport runway was cleared but remains closed to commercial traffic for 72 hours to prioritise relief and medivac flights.
Earthquake geologist, Dr Dee Ninis from Monash University, said the region would likely experience more aftershocks.
"We are already seeing this occur, with five earthquakes greater than magnitude five in the 24 hours after the earthquake," she said.
"Aftershocks can last for several weeks or months or even longer, but typically decrease in magnitude and frequency over time."
Dr Ninis added that while unlikely, there remains a small possibility the earthquake could be a foreshock preceding a larger event.
Tim Cutler, the Sydney-raised CEO of Vanuatu Cricket, was having lunch in a downtown cafe when the mighty tremor shook the buildings around him.
"The first shake wasn't unusual for Vanuatu... but it just got stronger and stronger," he told AAP.
"A water tank fell over and rolled onto a lady hiding under a table ... it was just surreal slow-motion (that felt) somewhere between a dream or a movie or at a theme park."
Meanwhile, Australians like Henry (last name withheld) described challenges including no communication from the Australian government and a struggle to find accommodation.
He sought help from the Australian High Commission but claimed there was no further communication or support after staff assured him they would arrange accommodation.
A Qantas representative was able to arrange a stay at the Holiday Inn.
But Henry said as of Thursday afternoon, many Australians were frustrated.
"All Australian guests staying here are feeling very frustrated as no representative from the High Commission has visited the hotel to provide updates," he told AAP.
Australian teams are now on the ground, working closely with Vanuatu authorities to conduct urban search-and-rescue operations, removing hazardous materials and supporting health services.
