News / World
Tsunami Kills At Least 13 in Solomon Islands
The tsunami that struck the Solomon Islands on Monday has claimed at least 13 lives, with the death toll expected to rise.
With waves described as being as high as 16 feet, several villages were flattened as a wall of water came rushing through the South Pacific nation, in some areas ½ a mile inland.
Residents had little warning of the impending tsunami as the earthquake that spurred the deadly wave struck just 215 miles northwest of Honiara, the capital of the Solomon Islands. The magnitude-8 quake sent many who live on the island chain scurrying to higher ground only to witness their homes and businesses flattened by the giant wave.
Several residents have been listed as missing but it has been difficult to place a number on the amount as communication with several areas of the archipelago has been lost.
