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Tsunami strikes Solomon Islands Tsunami strikes Solomon Islands
(20 minutes 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.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 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 government's website said 12 people had been killed but officials say that figure is certain to rise.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
"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.
Communications knocked out Reports coming in of damage to outlying villages on other islands include:
Deaths and widespread damage have been reported on Simbo, Choiseul and Ranunga islands near Ghizo, government spokesman Alfred Maesulia said.
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  • 300 houses destroyed in Sasamungga village on Choiseul island
  • four people missing on Mono island
  • waves seen 200 metres inland on Simbo island
  • Ranunga island also hit
  • bodies seen floating in the sea
"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. Witnesses described the water reaching 50-70 metres (164-230 feet) inland on Ghizo.
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." 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.
Witnesses described the water reaching 50-70 metres (164-230 feet) inland on Ghizo and 200 metres inland on Simbo island.
Gizo resident and dive-shop owner Danny Kennedy said 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 AP."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 tsunami inundated the town's hospital, damaging it beyond use and knocked out telephone communications to the area.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 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 - many of them living on remote and widely scattered islands.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.Many people live in houses made of palm and bamboo on the islands' beaches.
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.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.
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