Earthquake

The 8.3-magnitude tremor was centred off the coast, about 144 miles (232km) north-west of the capital.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center warned that "widespread hazardous tsunami waves are possible".

One person was killed by a falling wall, and evacuation was ordered in coastal areas. Tsunami sirens were heard in the port of Valparaiso.

The earthquake struck just off the coast at 19:54 local times (22:54 GMT), about 55km west of the city of Illapel, the US Geological Survey said.

Officials said it was at the depth of about 10km.

The quake's epicentre was located 214 kilometres west of Honiara at an estimated depth of 10 kilometres.

Residents in the capital who felt the quake say it was strong enough to shake larger buildings and was followed by mild aftershocks.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre says there was no threat of a tsunami from the off shore quake.

Supermarkets and other businesses were evacuated and people moved away from the shore right after the quake hit. Earthquakes are common in the Caribbean but this was particularly strong and shallow.

There were no reports of any injuries or damages, according to Kerry Hinds, the acting director of the Department of Emergency Services in Barbados. Nevertheless she urged residents to be cautious, given the size of the quake.

However, no tsunami warning was issued and no major damage was expected.

The seismic movement was recorded 56km north-east of Ndoi Island, according to the US Geological Survey.

It is believed no tsunami alert has been issued.

The quake struck around 417km south-east of Suva, the capital.

A Geoscience Australia spokesman said quakes were common in the area.

"Earthquakes of this magnitude are not at all unusual in that part of the world, and it was very, very deep so it's something unlikely to have any impact on the surface," he said.