HONIARA (Pacnews) — A day of national mourning was held in Solomon Islands to remember the 52 people killed in the devastating earthquake and tsunami that hit the country earlier this month.
A public holiday had been declared and memorial services were planned for the capital, Honiara, and other centers around the country.
Governor-General Sir Nathaniel Waena and Prime Minister Manasseh Sogavare were expected to attend the morning’s service in Honiara.
Sogavare has requested the premiers of the Western and Choiseul provinces to supply him with the names of those who have risked their lives to save others in the terrible tragedy that struck their provinces on April 2.
He said the death toll which now stands at 52 was shocking news and commended people who were on-the-spot immediately to rescue those who were trapped and others who could not help themselves such as the elderly and the young.
“They are the silent heroes and I want to know their names. On our visits to the disaster areas, we’ve heard stories of heroes- people who have risked their lives to rescue others from danger because they care. I have already told the two premiers, Alex Lokopio and Jackson Kiloe, that I want the names of the heroes. I want to salute them,” Sogavare said.
He said the earthquake and tsunami that struck the Western and Choiseul provinces were an unprecedented double calamity in the history of the nation after the World War II.
Sogavare commended the Western and Choiseul provinces’ premiers as well as church and community leaders in the two provinces for the strong leadership they have demonstrated in the trying times and urged them to maintain that.
“I’m proud to hear that these people still show strong leadership from the provincial level right down to the churches and communities. I want to take this opportunity to recognize them in these times of hardship,” he said.