High waves sparked by a massive earthquake on the other side of the Indian Ocean hit the east coast of Africa on Sunday, drowning a number of people, officials and witnesses said.

The huge waves swept some 7,000 kilometres from the Indonesian island of Sumatra before crashing on to the shores of Kenya and Somalia, affecting the islands of Mauritius, Reunion and the Seychelles on the way.

Thousands of holiday-makers and fishermen were urged to flee beaches before the waves hit, but for some it was too late.

In the Seychelles archipelago, nine people were reported missing and a key bridge linking the country's main airport and the country's capital, Victoria, was destroyed.

"I am asking people to remain calm and help those in need," Seychelles President James Michel said in a televised speech.

Mr Michel also formed a National Disaster Plan Committee to coordinate efforts to evacuate people from the coastal region.

In Mauritius, "the biggest waves struck the north and east of the island at around 1:00 pm (local time)," a meteorological spokesman told AFP, adding that no casualties had been reported there or the smaller nearby island of Rodrigues, to the east.

Mauritian authorities urged holiday-makers and picnickers to clear beaches and avoid putting to sea, noting that vessels had been damaged along most countries bordering the Indian Ocean.

Police said the beach of Cap Malheureux, a coastal village on the north of Mauritius, was submerged for almost three hours.

Weather services observed a sudden rise in the tide at Port Mathurin, the main town on Rodrigues, where several stowed boats were damaged. Sea levels returned to normal by the end of the afternoon.

Originally posted by Valhall

although yours sounds sexier...that would be "subduction zone". **