There are reports that four people were killed and two are missing, while dozens of homes have been destroyed.

 

The magnitude 8.0 quake struck at 01:12 GMT near the Santa Cruz islands, part of the Solomon Islands nation, the US Geological Survey said.

 

A tsunami measuring 0.9m then hit Lata in the far eastern Solomons. 

 

Lata is the main town on Nendo, also known as Santa Cruz Island, which is the largest island in the Santa Cruz island chain. 

 

The worst of the damage was said to have been on the western coast, with one report putting the waves there at 1.5m.

 

Robert Iroga, press secretary to the Solomons prime minister, told the BBC that the waves west of Lata had travelled some 500m inland, and that three villages had been damaged. 

 

He said the latest reports from the region were that four people had been killed. 

 

Police are travelling to the area, he said, and the priority is to ensure the local airport is functioning so aid and supplies can be flown in.

 

Irene Scott, who works at the Power FM radio station in the Solomons, said several people had gone to local hospitals for injuries including broken bones.

 

But she told the BBC that most people had moved to higher ground as soon as the quake was felt, reducing the casualties.

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