This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6516759.stm

The article has changed 16 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 8 Version 9
Tsunami strikes Solomon Islands Tsunami strikes Solomon Islands
(about 3 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, the US Geological Survey said, at a depth of 10km (six miles) below the surface.It struck 345km (215 miles) north-west of the Solomon Islands' capital, Honiara, north-east of Australia, the US Geological Survey said, at a depth of 10km (six miles) below the surface.
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.
EvacuationEvacuation
Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said government officials and the Red Cross were setting up a base at Munda in the Western Province to co-ordinate assistance.
The government's website said 12 people had been killed but officials say that figure is certain to rise.
"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.
(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 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 Animated guide: Tsunamis
"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."
Mr Lokopio said several thousand people were taking refuge on higher ground outside Gizo and were in need of water, food and shelter.Mr Lokopio said several thousand people were taking refuge on higher ground outside Gizo and were in need of water, food and shelter.
He said 15 people had been killed in the Gizo area alone. Communications knocked out
Deaths and widespread damage have been reported on Simbo, Choiseul and Ranunga islands near Ghizo, government spokesman Alfred Maesulia said.
"There are reports that some villages were completely washed away... It was reported that 300 houses were completely destroyed in [Sasamungga] village alone," he told Associated Press news agency.
Gizo's hospital was inundated and damaged beyond use"Some people were seen floating on the sea during the big waves but it was difficult to go near them."
Witnesses described the water reaching 50-70 metres (164-230 feet) inland on Ghizo and 200 metres inland on Simbo island.Witnesses described the water reaching 50-70 metres (164-230 feet) inland on Ghizo and 200 metres inland on Simbo island.
"The water just came up about probably about 4-5 metres (13 to 16 feet) above sea level and kind of just went up into the communities and doused everything," Danny Kennedy, a dive shop owner and provincial politician on Gizo, told Reuters news agency. Gizo resident and dive-shop owner Danny Kennedy said boats had been washed ashore and were lying in the middle of the town.
"A lot of houses have collapsed. The whole town is still shaking," Judith Kennedy, also in Gizo told the Associated Press several hours after the earthquake struck. "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 AP.
The National Disaster Council chairman told reporters that some villages had been "completely wiped out". The tsunami inundated the town's hospital, damaging it beyond use and knocked out telephone communications to the area.
Remote islandsRemote islands
Britain's deputy high commissioner in Honiara told the BBC that four people were also missing from Mono Island. Britain's deputy high commissioner in the capital, Honiara, told the BBC that four people were also missing from Mono Island.
The Solomon Islands has a population of about 500,000 people - some of them living on remote islands. The Solomon Islands has a population of about 500,000 people - many of them living on remote and widely scattered islands.
"Those western islands are very scattered and it's very difficult for us to get there or communicate, but we are sending a team to investigate," said the Solomon Islands government spokesman Alfred Maesulia. Many people live in houses made of palm and bamboo on the islands' beaches.
The earthquake was also felt in the capital, Honiara. David Leeming, who lives in the city, told the BBC News website that his five-storey office building shook and staff left the building for safety. The earthquake was also felt in Honiara. David Leeming, who lives in the city, told the BBC News website that his five-storey office building shook and staff left the building for safety.
Residents of the Papua New Guinea port city of Rabaul reported seeing the sea recede down the beach, followed by high waves, but no damage was reported.Residents of the Papua New Guinea port city of Rabaul reported seeing the sea recede down the beach, followed by high waves, but no damage was reported.
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 100You 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 videoClick 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.
Name:
 Name: