Islands Hit By Tsunami

Apr 02, 11:59 AM

Current Headlines: Huge tsunami waves churned by a massive earthquake crashed ashore in the Solomon Islands today, wiping away entire villages and triggering a tsunami emergency from Australia to Hawaii. At least 13 people were reported killed, and the toll was expected to rise. Beaches were closed more than 1,250 miles away, although surfers appeared to ignore the danger signs on Australia's famous Bondi beach, pictured.

Julian Makaa, spokesman for the Solomons National Disaster Management Office, said numerous Solomon Island villages were reporting people being swept away as waves ploughed through their communities.

The Pacific region, from Australia to Hawaii, went on high alert for several hours after the magnitude-8 quake struck between the islands of Bougainville and New Georgia.

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