Confirmed deaths include four in a hospital in the capital Port Vila, six in a landslide and four in a collapsed building where the toll is expected to rise, it said.
According to a report released late Tuesday by the country’s National Disaster Management Office, more than 200 people have been treated in hospitals so far.
The quake caused “major structural damage” to at least 10 buildings, including the main hospital, a large collapsed shop and diplomatic missions including the US embassy, it said.
According to the report, three bridges and two power lines were damaged.
Two major water reservoirs supplying Port Vila “have been completely destroyed and will require reconstruction”, the government said. The water supply network was being assessed.
Mobile and internet network connectivity was “interim”.
The main pier at Port Vila was closed “due to a major landslide”.
The airport was “not operational” but could handle incoming humanitarian aid, it said, noting the plane’s fuel tank was contaminated.