SOLOMON ISLANDS (Commonwealth Union)_ The first magnitude 7.0 earthquake triggered a tsunami warning and temporarily disrupted communications and radio services. Buildings were damaged and severe power outages were reported in Honiara, the capital of Solomon Islands, after two earthquakes occurred just off the south-west coast on Tuesday.
The first magnitude 7.0 earthquake triggered a tsunami warning from the US Geological Survey, but this warning was quickly cancelled. A second 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck nearby 30 minutes later. Some portions of Honiara were without power, and Solomon Islands Broadcasting said in a statement that all radio services were off the air.
The roof of the Australian high commission annexe in Honiara fell, according to Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese, “pointing to likely damage throughout the city”. “We have phoned Prime Minister Sogavare to reiterate Australia’s readiness to assist.”
PM Albanese stated that all Australian high commission workers were safe, but establishing the safety of all Australians in Solomon Islands was difficult due to telecommunications disruptions. According to the USGS, the quake in Malango was shallow, with a depth of 10 kilometres. People described strong shaking that toppled televisions and other items.
Charley Piringi, a freelance journalist, claimed he was waiting outside a warehouse near a primary and secondary school on the outskirts of Honiara when the earthquake occurred, sending the students fleeing. “The earthquake shook the place,” he explained. “It was a massive one. We were all stunned, and everyone ran everywhere.”
The nation’s attorney general, John Muria, shared photographs of office files overflowing from enormous metal filing cabinets on social media. “This was a big one,” Joy Nisha, a receptionist at Honiara’s Heritage Park Hotel, told AFP. “Some of the hotel’s items fell. Everyone appears to be well, but nervous.”
According to an AFP reporter in the city, the trembling lasted roughly 20 seconds.
