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More than 15 people were killed in the area of the Solomon Islands closest to the epicentre of an earthquake that triggered a tsunami on Monday, a provincial leader said citing reports.

"Reports have come in that more than 15 people died, just around Gizo, but with the other islands I cannot tell you," Western Province premier Alex Lokopio told Radio New Zealand.

He did not provide any further details of the deaths but said there was a desperate need for water, food and tents in the affected area
following the tsunami, which followed a 8.0 magnitude earthquake centred under the sea just 45 kilometres (28 miles) from Gizo.