Africa clears coast
2004-12-26 20:14
Nairobi - Authorities in Kenya, Mauritius, Reunion, Seychelles and Somalia on Sunday asked people to evacuate areas on their Indian Ocean shores, after huge waves killed thousands in south Asia.
Thousands of holidaymakers and fishermen were urged to flee beaches as the countries bordering or in the Indian Ocean were hit by tidal waves caused by a huge earthquake off Indonesia.
The paradise island of Seychelles was the worst hit, with nine people reported missing and a key bridge linking the country's main airport and the country's capital Victoria destroyed.
"I am asking people to remain calm and help those in need," Seychelles President James Michel said in a televised speech.
Michel also formed a National Disaster Plan Committee to coordinate efforts to evacuate people from the coastal region.
In Mauritius, "the biggest waves struck the north and east of the island at about 13:00," a meteorological spokesman said, adding that no casualties had been reported there or the nearby island of Rodrigues to the east.
Mauritian authorities urged holidaymakers and picnickers to clear beaches and avoid putting to sea, noting that vessels had been damaged along most countries bordering the Indian Ocean.
Police said the beach of Cap Malheureux, a coastal village on the north of Mauritius, was submerged for almost three hours.
Weather services observed a sudden rise in the tide at Port Mathurin, the main town on Rodrigues, where several stowed boats were damaged. Sea levels returned to normal by the end of the afternoon.
Waves also caused damage to ports in Reunion, a French territory that lies some 7 000 km from the quake's epicentre.
About 15 small fishing boats were damaged or flipped over in the ports of Sainte Marie and Saint-Gilles, officials said.
Thousands on the island ignored warnings and rushed to the coast to observe the wave phenomenon.
Kenyan environment minister Kalonzo Musyoka said: "We have asked people to evacuate from the beaches along the coastal region. We have also put our navy on top alert."
Officials in the port city of Mombasa forcefully evacuated more than 10 000 holidaymakers, who were celebrating Christmas festivities in public beaches there.
In Somalia, residents reported violent tides in the coastal region, with the closure of the main Elmaan port, where several boats were destroyed, officials said.
"Several people, who went fishing in the morning have not yet been accounted for. We cannot confirm whether they are dead or alive," said a spokesman for the port.