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Powerful quake off Samoa islands 'Three dead' in tsunami off Samoa
(20 minutes later)
A powerful earthquake has struck near the Samoa islands, triggering a potentially destructive tsunami along the coasts of several Pacific nations. A tsunami caused by a powerful earthquake in the Pacific has killed at least three people and injured 50 in Samoa, officials said.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said the quake registered 8.3. There are unconfirmed reports of damage and casualties in Samoa. Dr Lemalu Fiu of the main hospital in the capital, Apia, said the number of casualties is expected to rise as the injured arrive from coastal areas.
Waves of 5ft (1.57m) above sea level were recorded in Apia, capital of Samoa, and Pago Pago in American Samoa. An 8.3-magnitude quake struck at 1748 GMT, generating 5ft (1.57m) waves in Apia and Pago Pago, American Samoa.
Reports from the area say people in Samoa are fleeing to higher ground. A tsunami warning has been issued for all of New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji.
Witnesses have reported scenes of destruction. The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said the quake struck at a depth of 33km (20 miles) some 190km from Apia.
"It's horrible... The village is gone and my once beautiful beach front villa has now being submerged in water," Josh Nayangu told the BBC after fleeing the area on a small fishing boat with his wife and son. Radio New Zealand quoted Samoan residents as saying that villages were inundated and homes and cars swept away.
The quake hit at 1748 GMT at a depth of 33km (20 miles) some 190km from Samoa's capital Apia. Reports from the area say people in Samoa are fleeing to higher ground. Witnesses have reported scenes of destruction.
"Its horrible... The village is gone and my once beautiful beach front villa has now being submerged in water," Josh Nayangu told the BBC after fleeing the area on a small fishing boat with his wife and son.
General alertGeneral 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 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.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.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.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.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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