Vanuatu government knocked offline by hackers

A suspected cyber-attack on servers in Vanuatu has knocked the country’s government websites offline for more than 11 days.

The hack has disabled the websites of the Pacific island's parliament, police and prime minister's office.

The email system, intranet and online databases of schools, hospitals and other emergency services as well as all government services and departments, have also been taken down.

Vanuatu has a population of 315,000 people, who are now struggling to carry out basic tasks like pay tax, renew licenses or get travel visas.

Australian newspaper The Sydney Morning Herald reported the attackers had demanded a ransom, which the Vanuatu government refused to pay.

There are no details yet as to the identity of the hackers.