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Solomon Islands: Earthquake - Dec 2016

Disaster description

On 9 December 2016, a very strong undersea earthquake of magnitude 8.0 occurred at 4:39am local time about 62 kilometers west-southwest of Kirakira, Makira Ulawa Province in the Solomon Islands. Shaking was strongly felt in Makira, south of Malaita, north of Guadalcanal and in Rennel & Bellona. A tsunami was observed in Makira. In the several hours following the earthquake, the Solomon Islands experienced ten significant aftershocks ranging from 4.5M to 5.5M. Initial reports received from the provinces indicate disaster impacts resulting from the earthquake and tsunami. (IFRC, 9 Dec 2016)

The Solomon Islands government estimates that almost 7,000 people have been impacted by the earthquake. A nine-year-old child died in Guadalcanal when a house collapsed. In total, 191 houses have been destroyed and 114 damaged. Eleven schools and a medical clinic have also been damaged by the quake. (IFRC, 14 Dec 2016)

As of 21 December, the estimated number of people affected had climbed to 9,769 people, according to government data. (IFRC, 24 Dec 2016)

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