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Deadly tsunami in Pacific islands Deadly tsunamis strike in Pacific
(about 1 hour later)
A tsunami triggered by a strong quake in the South Pacific has killed at least 65 people in Samoa and more than 20 in American Samoa, say reports. Tsunamis triggered by a strong quake in the South Pacific have killed at least 65 people in Samoa and more than 20 in American Samoa, say reports.
The Samoan authorities say at least another 145 people have been injured and whole villages destroyed.The Samoan authorities say at least another 145 people have been injured and whole villages destroyed.
American Samoa's delegate to the US Congress said thousands of people had been left homeless in the territory.American Samoa's delegate to the US Congress said thousands of people had been left homeless in the territory.
An 8.3-magnitude quake struck at 1748 GMT, generating 15ft-high (4.5m) waves in some areas of the islands. An 8.3-magnitude quake struck at 1748 GMT on Tuesday, generating 15ft (4.5m) waves in some areas of the islands.
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. The total population is about 250,000.
A tsunami warning was initially issued for the wider region but cancelled a few hours later. The water was swirling like a spa pool outwards [towards] the rim of the lagoon and in a few seconds the water sunk Ula Osasa-ManoEyewitness class="" href="/2/hi/science/nature/4126809.stm">How earthquakes happen class="" href="/2/hi/science/nature/7533972.stm">Animated guide: Tsunamis class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8281956.stm">In pictures: Samoan tsunami
A general tsunami warning was issued for the wider South Pacific region but was cancelled a few hours later.
The general manager of Samoa's National Health Service told the BBC that 65 people had died and 145 people were injured.The general manager of Samoa's National Health Service told the BBC that 65 people had died and 145 people were injured.
US President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in American Samoa, enabling federal funding to made available to help victims.US President Barack Obama has declared a major disaster in American Samoa, enabling federal funding to made available to help victims.
Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said he was shocked at the devastation.
"So much has gone. So many people are gone," he told the AAP news agency.
Floating carsFloating cars
"Some of the areas there are only a few feet above sea level, so you can imagine the devastation," said Eni Faleomavaega, who represents American Samoa in the US. "Some of the areas are only a few feet above sea level, so you can imagine the devastation," said Eni Faleomavaega, who represents American Samoa in the US.
"It caused severe damage to property, there are cars floating everywhere.""It caused severe damage to property, there are cars floating everywhere."
The high waves damaged property and swept cars out to sea High waves damaged property and swept cars out to sea
Mr Faleomavaega told the BBC the waves had "literally wiped out all the low-lying areas in the Samoan islands," causing deaths and injuring "several hundred". Mr Faleomavaega told the BBC the waves had "literally wiped out all the low-lying areas in the Samoan islands".
He said the tsunami had hit within minutes of the quake, leaving people with no time to escape.He said the tsunami had hit within minutes of the quake, leaving people with no time to escape.
"There would have been no warning system capable of giving adequate warning to the people," he said."There would have been no warning system capable of giving adequate warning to the people," he said.
Dr Lemalu Fiu, at a hospital in the Samoan capital, Apia, said the number of casualties was expected to rise as people arrived from coastal areas. Samoa's Deputy PM Misa Telefoni told Australia's AAP news agency that "the ocean went out within five minutes".
Talutala Mauala, Secretary General of the Red Cross in Samoa, said she was travelling to the country's south coast, where many injuries were reported. "With the location and the intensity... I don't know if anything better could have been done."
"We won't know the full extent of the damage until we get there and see for ourselves," she said. Officials at the Samoa Meteorology Division said many of those who died were killed by a second wave after they went to gather fish that had been washed up after the first.
Ms Mauala said it could take many months for people to rebuild their homes. Sirens reportedly blared out across the Samoan capital, Apia, again late on Tuesday but the warning was thought to be a false alarm.
An Associated Press reporter said he had seen "bodies everywhere" in the main hospital in Lalomanu, on Samoa's main island of Upolu, including at least one child. Dr Lemalu Fiu, at a hospital in Apia, said the number of casualties was expected to rise as people arrived from coastal areas.
Several foreign tourists are thought to be among the dead. Mr Telefoni said there were fears the major tourism areas on the west side of Upolu island had been badly hit.
"We've had a pretty grim picture painted of all that coast," he said.
Australia said one of its citizens was feared dead with six missing. Both Australia and New Zealand are preparing to send emergency aid.
Samoan officials say it could take a week before the full extent of the damage is known.
Beaches goneBeaches gone
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said the quake struck at a depth of 33km (20 miles) some 190km (120 miles) from Apia. Waves of 5.1ft (1.57m) hit Apia and Pago Pago in American Samoa. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said the quake struck at a depth of 33km (20 miles), some 190km (120 miles) from Apia in Samoa.
The water was swirling like a spa pool outwards [towards] the rim of the lagoon and in a few seconds the water sunk Ula Osasa-ManoEyewitness class="" href="/2/hi/science/nature/4126809.stm">How earthquakes happen class="" href="/2/hi/science/nature/7533972.stm">Animated guide: Tsunamis class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8281956.stm">In pictures: Samoan tsunami American Samoa governor Togiola Tulafono on the 'four waves'
Radio New Zealand quoted Samoan residents as saying that villages were inundated and homes and cars swept away.Radio New Zealand quoted Samoan residents as saying that villages were inundated and homes and cars swept away.
Graeme Ansell, a New Zealander near Apia, told the radio station the beach village of Sau Sau Beach Fale had been "wiped out".Graeme Ansell, a New Zealander near Apia, told the radio station the beach village of Sau Sau Beach Fale had been "wiped out".
"There's not a building standing. We've all clambered up hills, and one of our party has a broken leg. There will be people in a great lot of need around here," he said."There's not a building standing. We've all clambered up hills, and one of our party has a broken leg. There will be people in a great lot of need around here," he said.
Samoalive News said local radio stations had been receiving reports of high sea swells hitting coastal areas on the eastern and southern side of Upolu island.
"School has been called off for the day with tsunami warnings calling for people to head to higher grounds," the website said.
Witnesses have reported scenes of destruction.Witnesses have reported scenes of destruction.
"It's horrible... The village is gone and my once beautiful beach front villa has now been submerged in water," Josh Nayangu told the BBC after fleeing the area on a small fishing boat with his wife and son. "It's horrible... The village is gone and my once beautiful beachfront villa has now been submerged in water," Josh Nayangu told the BBC after fleeing the area on a small fishing boat with his wife and son.
Ula Osasa-Mano, who was visiting family on the island, told the BBC the water along the Apia seawall was turbulent.
"The water was kind of swirling like a spa pool outwards [towards] the rim of the lagoon and in a few seconds the water sunk," Ula Osasa-Mano said.
The PTWC - a branch of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - issued a general alert for the South Pacific region, but it was cancelled by 2200 GMT.
Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the quake? Let us know using the form below:Are you in the area? Have you been affected by the quake? Let us know using the form below:
Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.Send your pictures and videos to yourpics@bbc.co.uk or text them to +44 7725 100 100. If you have a large file you can upload here.
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