Tsunami sweeps across Pacific after powerful Chile quake

NEW YORK, Feb. 27 (Xinhua) -- A magnitude-8.8 earthquake that struck Chile early Saturday morning has generated tsunami waves that hit islands and coastlines across the Pacific rim, though with only limited damage.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center issued the first tsunami warning at 0644 GMT, 10 minutes after the Chile quake. It was upgraded to a Pacific-Ocean-wide warning at 1043 GMT.

FRENCH POLYNESIA

In Hiva Oa in the north of French Polynesia, residents reported at least four big waves pushing in and the sea again retreating, Radio New Zealand International reported on Sunday.

Several waves have also passed other islands in French Polynesia without causing any major damage.

RFO radio in Papeete reported that a wave less than one meter high has passed the east of the Gambier islands.

In Rikitea on the island of Mangareva, several smaller waves are reported to have passed, ranging from 50 to 80 centimeters in height.

In Rapa, the sea was reported to drop and rise about every 30 minutes.

On Tahiti, only small waves were registered.

All road traffic closer than 500 meters to the shore has been forbidden, with police enforcing roadblocks.

People are advised to seek ground at least 10 meters high.

An Air Tahiti Nui plane due to arrive in Papeete from Tokyo has been diverted to Hawaii.

In the Cook Islands, people have moved inland.

Higher ground near the hospital on Rarotonga was already crowded as people fled the predicted impact zone.


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