5 Jan 2010

Emergency aid distributed among Solomons quake victims

2:57 pm on 5 January 2010

Emergency aid relief is reaching people in Solomon Islands Western Province affected by five major earthquakes within a day.

The biggest earthquake measured 7.2, causing a small tsunami and landslides.

Its epicentre was near the islands of Tetepare and Rendova.

The police commissioner, Peter Marshall, says the quakes have damaged many village homes and hundreds are thought to have evacuated to higher ground.

"I'm in possession of about 15 photographs taken from the air around Tetepare and around Rendova - it shows a number of landslides, a number of houses demolished glorified leaf houses, small houses made of local material but thankfully no information about deaths or serious injuries."

Peter Marshall says they are working together with RAMSI, donors and the National Disaster Council to distribute tents, food and water by helicopter.