A humanitarian agency says initial reports from the Solomon Islands suggest 3000 people have been affected by the earthquake and many buildings damaged, AP reported.
WorldVision, a charity with staff in the island nation, said the quake damaged buildings included homes, a hospital, a church, and a WorldVision office. Power was cut in Kirakira, the provincial capital of the island nearest the quake's offshore epicentre.
"Some twenty patients were also evacuated from the Kirakira hospital which was damaged by the earthquake.
"Communities along Makira's coast and in neighbouring South Malaita reported earthquake damage to houses but with limited road access and poor communication, the full extent of damage is unknown.
WorldVision Solomon Islands country director Janes Ginting said a family in the provincial capital narrowly escaped when the wall of their family home collapsed during the quake.
"World Vision has pre-positioned supplies including mosquito nets, tents, soap, buckets and rope in place and is ready to support the Solomon Islands government to assist affected children and families," Ginting said.