Pacific quakes cause new panic but no damage

Thousands of panicking South Pacific islanders ran from coastlines after a series of strong earthquakes rocked the region creating a small tsunami today, just over a week after a massive wave killed 178 people in the Samoas and Tonga.

There were no immediate reports of damage, and tsunami warnings for 11 nations and territories were soon cancelled. But people across the South Pacific took no chances, climbing hillsides and manoeuvring through traffic-clogged streets to reach higher ground.