Eight people are confirmed dead after an earthquake and tidal wave struck the South Pacific nation of Vanuatu early Saturday, officials reported.

The quake, measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale, struck at 12:21 a.m. local time Saturday, causing extensive damage on the relatively undeveloped Pentecost Island.

Landslides following the quake cut off roads and communication lines, so damage and casualty assessments are incomplete, but five people are confirmed dead from the quake and three perished in the tsunami that struck minutes later, said Eric Pakoa, Vanuatu police joint planning and operations officer.

Another two people pulled out to sea by the tsunami are still missing, Pakoa said.

Scores of people suffered injuries in the disaster, and thousands were left homeless. "So far because of the damaged roads and because people live isolated on the island we haven't any confirmed information about how many people are injured, but we are looking at 100 and more," Pakoa said.

Most people on Pentecost Island live in simple hut-style housing that was easily damaged by the quake and tidal wave. But even the island's churches, much more substantial buildings, suffered extreme damage.

"These are not simple houses," said Father Celestine Tari, Vanuatu Catholic Church administrator. "They are concrete-walled churches and plenty of them have fallen down."

The nation of Vanuatu comprises about 80 islands scattered northwest of New Caledonia and northwest of Fiji.