DHAKA: Millions of people across Indonesia and the Pacific have experienced a total solar eclipse, with parts of the region falling into complete darkness.

The eclipse began at 06:19 local time (23:19 GMT Tuesday) as the Moon started to pass directly in front of the Sun, reports the BBC.

As the eclipse reached totality, the Moon blocked all direct sunlight, turning day into night.

In Indonesia's Belitung province, a crowd gathered on a beach and witnesses spoke of a "magical" experience.

The eclipse was total in Indonesia and the Central Pacific, while parts of Australia and East Asia experienced a partial one.

From before dawn, about 200 people gathered at Olivia beach to watch the eclipse. About 30 foreigners were in the crowd, travelling from Australia and Europe to see it.

One of them was Wilma from Holland, who is a solar eclipse hunter and has seen the solar eclipse five times. She said that when the eclipse started an overwhelming feeling of peace came over her and she heard no sounds. It was a magical experience she said.

When the solar eclipse started, the crowd cheered and then went silent in awe. People were taking photos while others just watched in amazement. Then when it finished people clapped quietly. It was an incredible experience.

After the eclipse passed, the fisherman pushed their boats out to sea as there will be a fishing festival here to celebrate with boat races. Across the island, other people prayed in mosques, churches and temples.

Astronomers reiterated advice not to look directly at the Sun with the naked eye, or through a telescope. Experts recommended using either professional solar filter in front of a telescope or camera, or special eclipse-viewing glasses.

The total eclipse began at 00:15 GMT, with the moment of maximum shadow at 01:59 GMT.

The celestial event will end at sunset, local time, north of Hawaii (04:34 GMT).

BDST: 0841 HRS, MAR 09, 2016
RS