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Tsunami strikes Solomon Islands | Tsunami strikes Solomon Islands |
(about 2 hours later) | |
At least 12 people have died in the Solomon Islands after a tsunami swept ashore following a strong undersea earthquake in the South Pacific. | At least 12 people have died in the Solomon Islands after a tsunami swept ashore following a strong undersea earthquake in the South Pacific. |
The main town in the western Solomons, Gizo, was hit by waves several metres high that swamped buildings and washed people out to sea, officials said. | The main town in the western Solomons, Gizo, was hit by waves several metres high that swamped buildings and washed people out to sea, officials said. |
Local officials fear the numbers of dead could rise, with reports of outlying villages being destroyed. | Local officials fear the numbers of dead could rise, with reports of outlying villages being destroyed. |
The quake measured 8.0 and hit at 0740 local time on Monday (2040 GMT Sunday). | The quake measured 8.0 and hit at 0740 local time on Monday (2040 GMT Sunday). |
It struck 345km (215 miles) north-west of the Solomon Islands' capital, Honiara, north-east of Australia and at a depth of 10km (six miles), the US Geological Survey said. | |
Gizo, a small fishing town and diving centre on Ghizo island, was only 45km (25 miles) from the epicentre. | Gizo, a small fishing town and diving centre on Ghizo island, was only 45km (25 miles) from the epicentre. |
A tsunami warning for the Pacific from Australia to Alaska was issued but later cancelled. | A tsunami warning for the Pacific from Australia to Alaska was issued but later cancelled. |
Evacuation | Evacuation |
Government officials and the Red Cross were setting up a base in the Western Province to co-ordinate assistance. | |
(The water) moved toward the island and hit all the houses on the coastal area, and all of their property was washed away to the open sea Alex LokopioPremier, Western Province Gizo at heart of fears Animated guide: Tsunamis | (The water) moved toward the island and hit all the houses on the coastal area, and all of their property was washed away to the open sea Alex LokopioPremier, Western Province Gizo at heart of fears Animated guide: Tsunamis |
"There wasn't any warning - the warning was the earth tremors," said Western Province's Premier Alex Lokopio. | "There wasn't any warning - the warning was the earth tremors," said Western Province's Premier Alex Lokopio. |
"It shook us very, very strongly and we were frightened, and all of a sudden the sea was rising up," he told Radio New Zealand. | "It shook us very, very strongly and we were frightened, and all of a sudden the sea was rising up," he told Radio New Zealand. |
He said the water "moved toward the island and hit all the houses on the coastal area, and all of their property was washed away to the open sea." | He said the water "moved toward the island and hit all the houses on the coastal area, and all of their property was washed away to the open sea." |
Several thousand people were taking refuge on higher ground outside Gizo and were in need of water, food and shelter. | |
The Solomon Islands has a population of about 500,000 people - many of them living on remote and widely scattered islands. | |
Many people live in houses made of palm and bamboo on the islands' beaches. | |
Reports coming in of damage on outlying islands include: | |
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Witnesses described the water reaching 50-70 metres (164-230 feet) inland on Ghizo. | Witnesses described the water reaching 50-70 metres (164-230 feet) inland on Ghizo. |
Gizo's hospital was inundated and damaged beyond useGizo resident and dive-shop owner Danny Kennedy said large boats had been washed ashore and were lying in the middle of the town. | Gizo's hospital was inundated and damaged beyond useGizo resident and dive-shop owner Danny Kennedy said large boats had been washed ashore and were lying in the middle of the town. |
"Basically it was like a really extreme high tide that came very quickly and I reckon that the wave was probably about five metres and just kind of brought the water level up and then just resided really, really quickly," he told Associated Press. | |
Another resident, Naomi Baea, told Reuters news agency: "One child was drowned that we know of and there's an old woman that died where the house fell on top of her and also the waves just filled the house so she drowned." | |
Are you in the affected area? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below. | Are you in the affected area? If you have any information you would like to share with the BBC you can do so using the form below. |
You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 0044 (0)7725 100 100 | You can send your pictures and moving footage to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to 0044 (0)7725 100 100 |
Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video | Click here for terms and conditions on sending photos and video |
When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. | When taking photos or filming please do not endanger yourself or others, take unnecessary risks or infringe any laws. |