Tsunami in Choiseul

GOVERNMENT COMMUNICATIONS UNIT
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet

Honiara, Solomon Islands

PRESS RELEASE 02/04/07GH

Taro Authorities Evacuates Residents to Higher Ground as Strange Sea Changes Developed

By George Herming

Authorities in the provincial capital of Taro Island, Choiseul Province in the Western Solomons are evacuating residents to higher ground after observing strange ocean changes in the Western part of the Island.

Provincial Premier Jackson Kiloe described the sea changes on the western coast of Choiseul as “strangely frightening”.

He said the present sea activities involving huge rolling waves which repeatedly caused dry seas deeper into the ocean have exposed fish and other marine lives.

He said the earth quake that hit the Western Solomon’s this morning was strongly felt twice in Choiseul province.

“We are currently evacuating Taro Island residents and others in coastal areas to higher ground.

“The huge wave rolls are stronger than floods.

“They are causing large areas of ocean to dry up exposing fish and other marine lives,” Mr Kiloe said by phone from Taro Island.

He said provincial authorities are closely monitoring the situation.

He said the quake had not caused any deaths, but considerable damages were recorded throughout the province.

He said all official provincial business activities were closed since this morning and will resume when the situation is back to normal.

He said the situation has caused widespread fear among people in the province.

ENDS

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