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Powerful quake off Samoa islands Powerful quake off Samoa islands
(30 minutes later)
A powerful earthquake has struck near the Samoa islands, triggering a potentially destructive tsunami along the coasts of several Pacific nations.A powerful earthquake has struck near the Samoa islands, triggering a potentially destructive tsunami along the coasts of several Pacific nations.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) upgraded the quake to magnitude 8.3 from 7.9 earlier recorded by the US Geological Survey.The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) upgraded the quake to magnitude 8.3 from 7.9 earlier recorded by the US Geological Survey.
The quake hit at 1748 GMT at a depth of 33km (20.5 miles) some 190km south-west of Apia on the island of Samoa. It said waves of 5ft (1.57m) above sea level were recorded in Apia, capital of Samoa, and Pago Pago in American Samoa.
PTWC says sea level readings indicate a tsunami was generated in the Pacific. No injuries are reported, but buildings were flooded in coastal areas.
It says the tsunami "may have been destructive" along coasts near the earthquake epicentre. The quake hit at 1748 GMT at a depth of 33km (20 miles) some 190km from Samoa's capital Apia.
"Based on all available data, a tsunami may have been generated by this earthquake that could be destructive on coastal areas even far from the epicentre," the PTWC - a branch of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - said in a statement on its website.
Stuart Weinstein of the PTWC told the BBC that the agency was monitoring the situation.
A tsunami warning has been issued for the Samoa islands, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji and other Pacific islands, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said.A tsunami warning has been issued for the Samoa islands, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji and other Pacific islands, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said.
The Samoa islands comprise two separate entities - the nation of Samoa and American Samoa, a US territory - with a total population of about 250,000 people.The Samoa islands comprise two separate entities - the nation of Samoa and American Samoa, a US territory - with a total population of about 250,000 people.


Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the quake? Have you seen any sign of a tsunami? Let us know using the form below:Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the quake? Have you seen any sign of a tsunami? Let us know using the form below:
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