(ANS - Honiara) - Salesian communities (SDB and FMA) located in or near Honiara, report no damage from yesterday`s undersea earthquake and resulting tsunami in Solomon Island`s Western Province, some 350 km`s from Honiara.
In Gizo, where the Bishop and many of the Religious belong to the Dominican Family, the situation is far different. Gizo township was badly hit. The cathedral there appears to be badly damaged, with the collapse of the bell tower and further damage to walls as that came down.
Bishop Bernard O`Grady OP reports that his own residence was flooded by the waves that came crashing in and that people have all moved to higher ground. He has concerns for the growing list of missing persons, particularly for a missing family of catechists. One local report also indicates that water tanks have been destroyed by the combination of earthquake and wave action - lack of drinking water then becomes a serious problem for residents. Gizo airport itself was destroyed - the waves went right through it and left a trail of debris all over. Other than aftershocks, the immediate danger from tsunami type damage has subsided. Dominican formation communities in the region have been variously affected; some flooded and all members of communities have moved to higher ground. One area there is currently little information from is further west in Salesian Bishop Panfilo`s territory of far Eastern PNG - Milne Bay, Alotau.
There is one unconfirmed report of the death of five people in that area. The two regions are contiguous. Meanwhile, Fr Capelli, Rector of the Salesian Community in Honiara, has brought Don Bosco Technical Institute at Henderson, outside the capital, into the action with a collection of food and other aid for the five worst hit villages in the Western Province where Gizo is located. He has appealed for wider help through his usual channels which reach out through Oceania and as far as Europe.
Published 03/04/2007
