Honiara residents got a scary early morning wake-up alarm when a powerful 7.8 struck at 4.38am yesterday, sending families out of their homes.
While little or no damages were recorded in Honiara, the quake hit hard on Kirakira, the provincial capital of Makira-Ulawa Province.
In Kirakira, which is close to the epicentre, the earthquake caused damages to buildings, including homes, a hospital, a church, the World Vision office and cut off the town’s power supply.
The quake hit less than 30 kilometres off the island of Makira and around 200 kilometres from Honiara.
A tsunami warning was issued but later lifted.
The national government says it’s ready to dispatch relief assistance to affected areas.
Australia has offered to help if need be.
