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'Three dead' in tsunami off Samoa 'Three dead' in tsunami off Samoa
(42 minutes later)
A tsunami caused by a powerful earthquake in the Pacific has killed at least three people and injured 50 in Samoa, officials said. A tsunami caused by a powerful earthquake in the South Pacific has killed at least three people and injured 50 in Samoa, officials said.
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.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.
An 8.3-magnitude quake struck at 1748 GMT, generating 5ft (1.57m) waves in Apia and Pago Pago, American Samoa. An 8.3-magnitude quake struck at 1748 GMT, generating 5.1ft (1.57m) waves in Apia and Pago Pago, American Samoa.
A tsunami warning has been issued for all of New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji.A tsunami warning has been issued for all of New Zealand, Tonga and Fiji.
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said the quake struck at a depth of 33km (20 miles) some 190km from Apia.The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said the quake struck at a depth of 33km (20 miles) some 190km from Apia.
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.
Reports from the area say people in Samoa are fleeing to higher ground. Witnesses have reported scenes of destruction.Reports from the area say people in Samoa are fleeing to higher ground. Witnesses have reported scenes of destruction.
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-ManoEyewitness
"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."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.
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," he said.
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. The PTWC - a branch of the US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration - issued a general alert for the South Pacific region.
Stuart Weinstein of the PTWC told the BBC that the agency was monitoring the situation. "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 said in a statement on its website.
Stuart Weinstein, the deputy director of the PTWC, told the BBC that the agency was monitoring the situation.
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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