EXCLUSIVE
An Australian reality star caught up in the deadly Vanuatu earthquake is now in a race against time to escape a life-threatening landslide.
The Bachelor veteran Samantha Royce, 33, was at work on the tiny Pacific Island when the 7.3 magnitude earthquake struck, pancaking buildings and killing at least 12.
She immediately sprang into action in her role with the Australian High Commission, helping rescue and recovery operations, and coordinating the return of Australians.
But Royce has now been forced to evacuate her own home, with heavy rainfall predicted to cause more landslides which threaten to wipe out weakened buildings.
And she relived the horror moment the huge quake rattled the Pacific nation island.
‘It started like all the other earthquakes we get here – and then after the first two seconds, it intensifed so quickly, ‘ she revealed.
‘My colleague and I just looked at each other and I said, “I think this is a get under the table one…”
Samantha Royce dated former The Bachelor contestant Jarrod Woodgate for three years
Samantha Royce moved to Vanuatu in January
Huge boulders have crushed crushed and blocked roads in landslides after the quake flattened buildings and killed 12 people
‘It was absolutely terrifying and it didn’t feel real or sink in until after it stopped and we looked around the room.’
In a post to Instagram, she added: ‘It was like no other earthquake I have felt.
‘Often they feel like a swaying or rocking felling, like on a ship in rough seas, but this one was like Thor, smashing down on with his hammer on top of us.
‘I was on all fours under the table and I was gwtting thrown up against the table top and tipped over.
‘Our computers went flying, pictures fell off the walls, filing cabinets tipped over, furtniture smashed against the walls and my mug and bowl shattered on the floor.
‘It was like someone was throwing things around in the intense temper tantrum.’
But the orror ordeal has continued for the former Australian Federal Police officer, withthe fear of landlsides wreaking new terror and chaos.
‘The rain is coming, so I am just rushing home before the evacuation is in order,’ she said in an emotional video on Instagram on Tuesday.
‘I’m going to put everything that’s outside, inside the house and everything valuable in the car with me and go and stay at a friends again.
‘I will put the dogs in the car and just try and stack everything up on tables and just cross my fingers that if the water does flood the house, it won’t get everything on the tables.’
Samantha Royce has been working to evacuate stranded Australians as part of her role with the High Commission
Whole buildings have been completely wiped out with people still inside
Samantha Royce has had to pack her belongings and protect what she can on tables in the hope they survive a flood as fresh landslides loom
She has recordedimages of the devatsation caused by the quake at shops, buildings and cafes across the island
‘It’s been a real rough week the aftershocks just keep coming we are all so jumpy. Even if a car drives past.
‘Thank you so much for all of your messages over the last week, it’s been a lot.’
Royce rose to fame on Matt Agnew’s season of The Bachelor in 2019.
While she didn’t find love on the show went on to date Jarrod Woodgate who was runner up in Sophie Monks season.
The pair bought a house and dog together in Darwin where Sam was based for her AFP role, but eventually called it quits in 2022 after three years.
Sam said she felt like a ‘failure’ for being unable to make their relationship work, but wished Woodgate well.
‘I tried everything in my power to make Jarrod happy and it’s hard not to feel like a failure,’ she said.
‘I know a lot of people are invested in Jarrod’s love story and I wish I could have given you all a happy ending.’
Royce was in Matt Agnew’s season of The Bachelor
After quitting her job in the AFP as a federal agent she moved to Vanuatu
Woodgate, 36, had been open about his mental health struggles, revealing he suffers from PTSD, anxiety and depression.
Royce quit the force in August 2023 and moved to Vanuatu in January to take up her new position at the Embassy
Having grown up on the remote tropical island, Royce was thrilled to be offered the job to enable her to move closer to her family.
‘I am very excited to have some consistency and call Vanuatu home for the next two years,’ she said at the time she made the move.
‘Here is to the next chapter of sunshine, island dresses, laplap and tropical rain, snorkelling, kava bars, beach days fruit markets and running on island time.’
She purchased a house in Mele village just outside of Port Vila and rescued an island dog.
Yesterday she said that her dog Luna is ‘safe and well,’ but she is struggling mentally.
‘All of us humans are quite traumatised,’ she said. ‘It’s like nothing I have ever experienced in my life and not what I thought an earthquake would be.
Samantha Royce purchased a house in Mele village just outside of Port Vila and rescued an island dog (pictured)
Yesterday Royce said her dog Luna is ‘safe and well,’ but she is struggling mentally.
‘I’m just rushing back to home to grab all the precious things.
‘I have already grabbed my laptop and passport, but it’s got to the point where I can’t even fathom what’s precious and what I need to pack.
‘Nothing matters as long as you are alive. It’s such a surreal feeling I don’t even think I need anything anymore as long as I have the dogs and we are safe that’s all that matters.’
The heavy rainfall predictions may also cause flash flooding near low lying areas and rivers with thousands more residents urged to leave immediately.
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