Tsunami Claims 20 Lives

Tsunami Claims 20 Lives



   
April 2007 - At least 20 
people are dead in the Solomon Islands today after a giant 
earthquake of magnitude 8.1 shook the western part of the 
Pacific island chain this morning, triggering a tsunami. 
The quake took place at 7:39 am Solomon Islands time, causing 
major damage to the resort town of Gizo, in the New Georgia 
Islands archipelago. 
Map of the Solomon Islands 
The first quake was immediately followed by two more of 
magnitudes 6.7 and 6.4, according to the U.S. Geological 
Survey. 
The quakes were measured at a depth of 10 kilometers (6.2 
miles) at a distance of 345 kilometers (215 miles) west 
northwest of the Solomon Islands capital of Honiara on the 
island of Guadalcanal. 
The Solomon Islands Red Cross reports that around 2,000 
people, or 10 percent of the population, in the provincial 
capital of Gizo, are now homeless, while some 500 houses may 
have been damaged or destroyed. Preliminary reports from other 
islands suggest similar or worse levels of damage. 
The quakes sent waves 10 feet high crashing into Gizo shops 
and homes, and knocked out power and some communications. 
Property damage is estimated in the millions of dollars, and 
the death toll is expected to rise. In low-lying Gizo town
 boats were washed into the streets by 
the tsunami this morning. 
There are reports that Gizo hospital, Gizo church and Gizo 
Hotel have suffered damage. The Gizo Hotel reports that all 
residents and guests have moved to higher ground. 
The Provincial Disaster Office in Choisel Province evacuated 
people from coastal areas when the tsunami warning was issued.
 Sasamunga Hospital in Choiseul province was partly flooded. 
Oxfam says large parts of southwest Choiseul province likely 
have been affected. 15 houses were reportedly swept away in 
Simbo. 
"The warning was the earth tremors," Premier of the Solomon's 
Western Province Alex Lokopio told New Zealand National Radio. 
"It shook us very, very strongly and we were frightened, and 
all of a sudden, the sea was rising up." 
The Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation's correspondent 
in Gizo says residents are sheltering in hills around the 
island's main town, for fear of another tsunami. 
Solomons National Disaster Management Office spokesman Julian 
Makaa said many villages in the country's remote Western 
province report people being drowned as waves swept over their 
homes. 
Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare said today he 
was "saddened" by the destruction and loss of life caused by 
the earthquake and tsunami. Solomon Islands Prime Minister
 Manasseh Sogavare 
Prime Minister Sogavare assured victims of the affected 
provinces that his government through the National Disaster 
Council and other agencies is fully committed to assist 
victims of the disaster. 
"Most survivors took to the hills and have not returned," says 
the International Federation of Red Cross regional disaster 
management coordinator for the Pacific, Martin Blackgrove, who 
is based in Suva, Fiji. 
"Roads are inaccessible and there has been heavy damage to 
infrastructure, including phones and electricity," he said 
"Many people will be sleeping outdoors tonight and are not 
expected to return to their homes until Tuesday. That makes it 
hard to get accurate figures on the number of people who may 
be missing." 
The Solomon Islands Red Cross says fresh water is in short 
supply in some areas, while temporary, localized food 
shortages have been reported. Some of the affected areas are 
so isolated they can only be reached by boat. 
The Natural Disaster Management Office, NDMO, in Western and 
Choiseul Provinces organized an assessment mission today, 
including representatives of the NDMO, government ministries, 
the police department, the Red Cross, NZ Aid and the UN 
Development Programme. 
The Red Cross will carry out an initial distribution of first 
aid kits in Gizo town and has dispatched a boat containing 
tents. 
The dive resort town of Gizo before today's tsunami 
The government of the Solomon Islands is expected to make a 
request for international assistance, according to the United 
Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs. 
The results of the NDMO assessment are expected to clarify 
needs. 
Australia will contribute up to A$2 million to help the 
Solomon Islands recover from today's earthquake and tsunami, 
the Australia Broadcasting Corporation said this morning. 
Aircraft from the Regional Assistance Mission to the Solomon 
Islands, RAMSI, currently are assessing the damage in the area 
and distributing blankets and clean water. 
Prime Minister John Howard says Australia is helping the 
Solomon Islands in any way it can, and Foreign Minister 
Alexander Downer will announce an aid package shortly. 
"All the resources of RAMSI are being made available, and 
they're very extenvironment newsive, to help the local people,"
 Howard said 
today. 
A member of the Australian Navy, left, helps a Solomon 
Islands' police officer load relief supplies. 
"We'll do all we possibly can both through RAMSI and 
additionally to help the people of the Solomon Islands." 
On Australia's east coast, the beaches were closed along the 
Queenvironment newsland coast and as far south as Sydney's
 Bondi beach, the 
prime minister said, but the tsunami did not reach Australia. 
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu issued a 
tsunami warning for much of the Pacific, including Australia, 
Papua New Guinea, and Indonesia. There have been reports of 
damage in Papua New Guinea to the west of the Solomons but no 
loss of life. 
A tsunami watch was issued for New Zealand, the Philippines, 
American Samoa, Guam and Fiji. 
At first, Hawaii was put under a tsunami advisory, but by 
Sunday evening Hawaii time, the advisory was lifted. 
Consisting of nearly one thousand islands, the Solomons are 
struck by frequent earthquakes. The British Commonwealth Realm 
is characterized by poverty and political instability. 

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