WORLD NEWS:-Two strong aftershocks rattle Solomon Islands

Two powerful 6.8 and 6.9-magnitude aftershocks rattled the Solomon Islands, but there was no threat of a tsunami to Pacific coastlines, seismologists and the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said.




The quakes struck just seconds apart at around 11:15pm (local time) and came as officials visited isolated villages, a day after a 7.2 magnitude quake and tsunami left around 1,000 people homeless.



The latest aftershocks struck very close to Monday's quake off the South Pacific nation and were recorded at depths of 35 and 70 kilometres (21 and 42 miles), according to seismologists at the US Geological Survey.



Yesterday's largest quake, with a magnitude of 7.2, set off a tsunami estimated to be around three meters high in some areas.



The National Disaster Management Office says there has still been no reports of serious injuries or deaths.



They have scaled back initial estimates that 500 homes had been destroyed or damaged in the worst affected areas in the isolated western region of the island chain.



Two patrol boats carrying relief supplies were due to arrive in the affected area today.