Monday 2 April 2007

Tsunami strikes Solomon Islands

An earthquake measuring 8.0 on the Richter scale has caused a tsunami on the Solomon Islands where at least 12 people have died. The following is taken from BBC news:

"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:

  • 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

Witnesses described the water reaching 50-70 metres (164-230 feet) inland on Ghizo.

Go to http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6516759.stm for the full story.

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