A tsunami has swept ashore in the Solomon Islands following a strong undersea earthquake in the South Pacific Ocean.
A tsunami has swept ashore in the Solomon Islands after a strong undersea earthquake in the South Pacific.
Waves said to be several metres high crashed into some of the western islands severely damaging at least two villages. Several people were missing.
Initial reports from outlying, remote areas say at least eight people have been killed, but local officials fear the death toll could rise much higher.
Tsunami warnings were also issued for Papua New Guinea, north-east Australia, and some other Pacific islands.
The National Disaster Council chairman told reporters that some villages had been "completely wiped out".
Tsunami warnings have also been issued for Papua New Guinea, north-east Australia, and other nearby islands.
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.
Sergeant Godfrey Abiah of the Solomons police force said the waves had hit the town of Gizo, in the New Georgia Islands region in the west of the Solomons, which was only 45km (25 miles) from the epicentre of the quake.
There was 10ft of water rushing through town Harry WickhamHotel worker, Gizo
He said police in Gizo had been urging people to leave coastal areas when the tsunami hit, but communications were lost soon afterwards.
"We have lost radio contact with the two police stations down there and we're not getting any clear picture," he told The Associated Press.
Julian McLeod, a Solomon Islands disaster management official, said: "Two villages were reported to have been completely inundated.
"We have received reports of four people missing."
Japanese public broadcaster NHK reported that at least three people had been killed.
Evacuation
Evacuation
Harry Wickham, a hotel worker in Gizo, told New Zealand television by phone that many buildings along the water front had been damaged.
One of the worst affected areas is the town of Gizo, in the west of the Solomons, which was only 45km (25 miles) from the epicentre of the quake.
"There was 10ft of water rushing through town," he said.
There was 10ft of water rushing through town Harry WickhamHotel worker, Gizo
Britain's deputy high commissioner in Honiara told the BBC that four people were missing from Mono Island. He said all the residents of Taro Island had been evacuated.
"All the houses near the sea were flattened," as water "right up to your head" swept through the town, said Gizo resident Judith Kennedy.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center said a much smaller wave, of 15cm (6in) had been reported in Honiara.
"A lot of houses have collapsed. The whole town is still shaking," she told the Associated Press.
The centre initially issued a warning for all countries in the South Pacific region.
Harry Wickham, a hotel worker in Gizo, told New Zealand television that "there was 10ft of water rushing through town".
Later it was downscaled, but authorities in the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, north-eastern Australia, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Fiji were being advised to stay on alert.
There are reports that a local hospital has been inundated by water and at least three people are confirmed dead in the town.
Britain's deputy high commissioner in Honiara told the BBC that four people were also missing from Mono Island.
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 Pacific Tsunami Warning Center initially issued a warning for all countries in the South Pacific region.
Later it was down-scaled, but authorities in the Solomon Islands, Papua New Guinea, Vanuatu, New Caledonia, north-eastern Australia, Tuvalu, Kiribati, and Fiji were being advised to stay on alert.
Officials in Australia said the coast of New South Wales could face dangerous waves and flooding in the coming hours.
Officials in Australia said the coast of New South Wales could face dangerous waves and flooding in the coming hours.
Several beaches in Sydney have been closed as a precaution.
Several beaches in Sydney have been closed as a precaution.
Experts in Japan and Hawaii were also monitoring the situation.
Experts in Japan and Hawaii were also monitoring the situation.
Are you in the affected area? If you have witnessed the tsunami and are able to send us any accounts or photos, please do so using the form below.
Are you in the affected area? If you have witnessed the tsunami and are able to send us any accounts or photos, please do so using the form below.
