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Strong quake rocks the Solomons
24/12/2001 14:59 - (SA)
Wellington, New Zealand - A strong earthquake with an estimated magnitude of 7.0 shook the Solomon Islands on Monday, says the Solomon Islands Broadcasting Corporation.
It reported the sharp quake, which lasted about two minutes in
the capital, Honiara, was felt in many parts of the more than 900
islands which make up the archipelagic nation in the Central
Pacific northeast of Australia.
So far, the broadcaster had no details on where the earthquake
was located in the island chain.
Corporation news editor Johnston Honomai said by telephone that the sharp temblor had toppled shelves in offices, smashing bottles and other contents to the floor.
Staff in city buildings ran into the streets, but police were so far reporting there had been no serious damage or injuries, he said.
The quake was followed by one sharp aftershock, Honomai
reported.
"We have no reports of damage to buildings, and everything
appears structurally sound," he said.
The radio station so far had no request from the Solomon's
National Disaster Council to broadcast tsunami, or tidal wave,
warnings after the quake.
"We have hundreds of low-lying islands, and (if a tsunami
warning was issued) we would broadcast any warning," he added.
The Solomon Islands has a number of major quakes each year.
A magnitude 7 earthquake in a metropolitan area can cause a
serious toll of death and major damage. - Sapa-AP
- SAPA
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