KEY POINTS:
The remoteness of the Solomon Islands area hit by yesterday's earthquake and tsunami is expected to hamper efforts to start rescue work.
Several thousand people were left homeless after waves up to 4m high washed over islands 300km northwest of the capital Honiara, sweeping entire villages into the sea.
Former New Zealand assistant police commissioner Peter Marshall, who is now the deputy police commissioner in the Solomon Islands,said police aircraft had been flying over the worst-hit areas yesterday.
People who required medical care were evacuated and the extent of the damage was evaluated.
Their efforts were hampered by the isolation of some of the affected islands.
Mr Marshall said he was at the police headquarters in Honiara when the quake struck.
The building shook for about 90 seconds.
More than 900 islands make up the Pacific nation, and many villages are in remote and difficult terrain.
The area was sparsely populated which also hampered communication.
He said 7000 people lived in Gizo, one of the hardest-hit islands, and several thousand more were in surrounding areas. The population of the Solomons is 500,000.
"We are facing all sorts of telephone and communication difficulties," Mr Marshall said.
"But we had our aircraft up there this afternoon, with the Puma helicopter and they are not reporting anything that is particularly remarkable.
"First thing tomorrow [today] the aircraft will be covering as many of the larger islands as possible to make sure our assessment is correct."
Three large military helicopters were going to the affected areas with supplies for those left homeless.
Mr Marshall said a national state of emergency had been declared, but officials had not yet deemed it necessary to declare a state of disaster, the next step up.
Military personnel from the regional assistance mission to the Solomon Islands were on stand-by to assist if needed, he said.
Mr Marshall said he believed the death toll would increase.
New Zealand Foreign Minister Winston Peters offered his condolences to Solomon Islands Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare.
"We stand ready to offer what assistance we can," he said.
"Once we have a clearer picture, we will be in a better position to decide exactly what help is needed."
Australian Foreign Minister Alexander Downer said his Government had made an initial offer of up to A$2 million ($2.3 million) in emergency and reconstruction assistance to the Solomon Islands Government.
"The Australian Government is particularly concerned by reports of possible loss of life in Solomon Islands," he said.
Australia is working with the Solomon Islands Government on a response effort.
Mr Downer said the Government had a supply of relief items such as blankets, tarpaulins and clean water that could be sent immediately.
In New Zealand, authorities braced for disaster after the earthquake but no impact was felt.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre in Hawaii placed New Zealand on its tsunami "watch" list after the 8.40am quake.
Scientists planned to examine sea-level data yesterday to gauge the exact time and height of the waves, but expected minimal effect in both main islands.
- NZPA
