One of two tiny South Pacific islands cut off from the world for days by a massive cyclone has been left devastated, according to reports.
Cyclone Zoe hit Tikopia and Anuta islands in the Solomon Islands with winds of up to 225 mph on Sunday.
It wiped out communications and made initial damage assessment impossible. There has been no word on possible casualties.
"Every tree on the island has been blown over or shredded, the island is completely denuded of vegetation," a New Zealand cameraman, Mr Geoff Mackley, said after flying over Tikopia.
"Almost every building has been damaged, a few remain intact, while others have been shredded, and the sea has come through some villages, burying them," he added.
Mr Mackley says about 20 people came down to a beach and watched his plane fly over.
"Some signalled us with sheets of white plastic, others just sat there," he said. "I will not speculate on the likely casualties or fatalities, if it is not large it will be a miracle."
There has been no contact with Anuta, which lies to the northeast of Tikopia.
More than 1,300 residents live on the two islands in remote Temotu Province. Neither have airstrips and it takes days to reach them by boat from Honiara, capital of the Solomon Islands.
AP