Quake rocks Solomon Islands, people flee

WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND: A powerful magnitude 7.0 earthquake jolted the Solomon Islands on Tuesday afternoon, overturning tables and sending people racing for higher ground.

There were no immediate reports of widespread damage or injuries, although Australia’s prime minister said a roof at its high commission had collapsed.

An initial tsunami warning was withdrawn after the threat passed. Solomon Islands government spokesperson George Herming said he was in his office on the second floor of a building in the capital, Honiara, when the quake rocked the city. He said he crawled underneath his table.

“It’s a huge one that just shocked everybody,” Herming said. “We have tables and desks, books and everything scattered all over the place as a result of the earthquake, but there’s no major damage to structure or buildings,” he said.

Australian defence minister Richard Marles said damage assessments were ongoing and it was too early to know what military assistance might be sent to help.