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Powerful quake off Samoa islands Powerful quake off Samoa islands
(10 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.
It said waves of 5ft (1.57m) above sea level were recorded in Apia, capital of Samoa, and Pago Pago in American Samoa.It said waves of 5ft (1.57m) above sea level were recorded in Apia, capital of Samoa, and Pago Pago in American Samoa.
No injuries are reported, but buildings were flooded in coastal areas.No injuries are reported, but buildings were flooded in coastal areas.
The quake hit at 1748 GMT at a depth of 33km (20 miles) some 190km from Samoa's capital Apia.The quake hit at 1748 GMT at a depth of 33km (20 miles) some 190km from Samoa's capital Apia.
General alert
"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."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.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 and Fiji, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said.
In 2004, a Boxing Day quake in the Indian Ocean generated a powerful tsunami that killed tens of thousands people in Asia.
Mr Weinstein said Tuesday's quake was "much smaller" than that tsunami, and only had 3% of the energy generated by the 2004 quake.
He said he expected the quake to be destructive in the areas closest to the epicentre, but said it "remains to be seen" how far any devastation would spread.
A tsunami watch is also in effect for Hawaii, Papua New Guinea and other small Pacific islands, although no warning has been issued in these areas as yet.
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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