The president of a Pacific island nation devastated by a tropical cyclone says he "fears the worst" as the first aid teams reached the disaster zone.
At least 10 people were killed after the fierce storm, bringing winds of more than 185mph, struck Vanuatu, levelling homes, smashing up boats, destroying roads and bridges, and bringing down power and phone lines.
And the number of dead is expected to rise as rescuers reach the outlying islands.
Thousands have been left homeless on the tiny archipelago.
A Red Cross spokesman has described the situation as apocalyptic.
Vanuatu's government has declared a state of emergency.
President Baldwin Lonsdale, who happened to be at a disaster risk conference in Japan, compared the storm to a monster.
He said most houses in the capital Port Vila had been damaged or destroyed by Cyclone Pam.
President Lonsdale said the impact would be "the very, very, very worst" in isolated outer islands but held out hope the number of casualties would be "minor".
He had earlier made a tearful appeal for international assistance.
Aid workers were particularly concerned about the southern island of Tanna, about 125 miles south of the capital, Port Vila.
An official with the Australian Red Cross said an aircraft had managed to land there and confirmed "widespread destruction".
"Virtually every building that is not concrete has been flattened," the official said.
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Gallery: Fears Dozens Killed By Powerful Cyclone Pam
There are fears dozens of people have been killed after Cyclone Pam stuck the Pacific's Vanuatu archipelago
The streets of Porta Vila are reportedly littered with debris and uprooted trees following the storm
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