Maldives capital flooded
2004-12-26 10:37
Colombo - The Indian Ocean tourist paradise of the Maldives was hit by tidal waves, inundating low-lying islands, following an earthquake that struck Indonesia, but there were no immediate reports of casualties, officials here said.
Sri Lanka's international airport said they were told by authorities in the neighbouring Maldives that tidal waves had flooded the Hululle airport island and the runway was closed indefinitely.
Residents of the Maldivian capital, Male, contacted by telephone, said most of the capital was also flooded.
There were no immediate reports of casualties.
The Maldives is a cluster of 1 192 tiny coral islands scattered some 800km across the equator and is vulnerable to any rise in sea levels.