Solomons: Six dead from tsunami
POSTED: 2:46 a.m. EDT, April 2, 2007
Story Highlights• NEW: Six dead, several people missing, Solomon Islands government says
• Tsunami warning issued for other Pacific Rim nations
• Earthquake estimated to be around 220 miles northwest of Honiara
• USGS: 8.0 magnitude quake was followed by 6.7 magnitude tremor
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(CNN) -- At least six people died in the Solomon Islands Monday after two earthquakes and a tsunami hit the western part of the island-chain nation, the country's chief spokesman said.
Alfred Maesulia, the Solomon Islands' government spokesman, told CNN that six people were confirmed dead and "a lot of people" were missing, which he suggested may be in the range of 10 to 20 people.
Maesulia said it would likely be a day or two before more accurate information is known about the deaths and damage in the scattered island villages.
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said an 80-year-old woman and a small child were among the dead in Giso.
It was fortunate that the tsumani hit during daylight hours when the early warning signs of receding tides were noticed, causing people to seek higher ground, Sogavare said.
In the South Choiseul, waves 10 meters high swept through the Sasamunga village northeast of Gizo, destroying villages, food gardens and a hospital, the government's Web site reported. Health centers and schools in surrounding villages were also devastated, the government said.
Choiseul Premier Jackson Kiloe said villagers from Nukiki, Zepa and Luta villages in Southern Choiseul were searching for missing relatives since the tsunami struck.
Maesulia said the damage in Gizo was caused by the first of the two earthquakes, which the U.S. Geological Survey said registered with a magnitude of 8.0. After the first earthquake, "a strong wave" swept through the Gizo township, Maesulia said, but the major damage to Gizo was caused primarily by the first earthquake.
"All the houses near the sea were flattened," as water "right up to your head" swept through the town, resident Judith Kennedy told The Associated Press.
"The downtown area is a very big mess from the tsunami and the earthquake," she said, adding that aftershocks were still being felt several hours later. "A lot of houses have collapsed. The whole town is still shaking."
Her father, dive shop owner Danny Kennedy, estimated the height of the wave at 10 feet (3 meters).
"I'm driving down the street -- there are boats in the middle of the road, buildings have completely collapsed and fallen down," he told the AP by mobile phone.
Maesulia said the cost of damage was in millions of dollars. The government sent a team to assess the damage in Gizo, a town of about 1,000 people, Maesulia said.
The United States Geological Survey said the first earthquake took place at 6:40 a.m. (2040 GMT on Sunday) and was centered 25 miles south-southeast of Gizo, New Georgia Islands, and 1,330 miles north-northeast of Brisbane, Australia.
A second quake of 6.7 magnitude hit a few minutes later, according to the USGS. It was centered 75 miles west-southwest of Chirovanga, Choiseul, Solomon Islands, and 1,410 miles north of Brisbane, Australia.
The quakes led to a tsunami warning for a huge part of the Pacific. Australia and Indonesia were among the areas named in a warning from the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center, as were Papua New Guinea and several other islands in the region.
A watch was issued for some other parts of the Pacific, including New Zealand, the Philippines, American Samoa, Guam and Fiji.
Initially, Hawaii was put under an advisory, but not a watch or warning. By evening, the advisory was lifted.
The Solomon Islands are popular with international tourists. Most homes in the mountainous islands are constructed of timber and bamboo, with villagers relying on fishing and logging for employment.
