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Tsunami rescue begins in Pacific | Tsunami rescue begins in Pacific |
(about 7 hours later) | |
A major relief operation has begun in the Samoan islands, which were hit by a tsunami that killed at least 119 people and wiped out villages and resorts. | |
Rescue officials said planes carrying medics, food, water and other supplies were heading to the stricken Pacific islands of Samoa and American Samoa. | Rescue officials said planes carrying medics, food, water and other supplies were heading to the stricken Pacific islands of Samoa and American Samoa. |
They said tens of thousands of people need help in villages swamped by waves triggered by a huge earthquake. | They said tens of thousands of people need help in villages swamped by waves triggered by a huge earthquake. |
The United Nations said it was sending an emergency team to Samoa. | The United Nations said it was sending an emergency team to Samoa. |
According to the latest reports, at least 83 people were killed in Samoa, more than 30 in American Samoa and at least six in Tonga. | |
Samoan officials say it could take a week before the full extent of the damage is known. | Samoan officials say it could take a week before the full extent of the damage is known. |
There have also been reports of looting in Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa. | |
Major disaster | Major disaster |
Amateur video footage showed villages destroyed, homes flattened, and cars lodged in treetops. | Amateur video footage showed villages destroyed, homes flattened, and cars lodged in treetops. |
So much has gone. So many people are gone. I don't think anybody is going to be spared in this disaster Tuila'epe Sailele MalielegaoiSamoan Prime Minister Pacific tsunami: Countries hit Big quake strikes off Indonesia Eyewitness: On air when tsunami hit In pictures: Pacific tsunami Tsunami alerts warn islanders Samoa's vulnerable islands | So much has gone. So many people are gone. I don't think anybody is going to be spared in this disaster Tuila'epe Sailele MalielegaoiSamoan Prime Minister Pacific tsunami: Countries hit Big quake strikes off Indonesia Eyewitness: On air when tsunami hit In pictures: Pacific tsunami Tsunami alerts warn islanders Samoa's vulnerable islands |
Residents and tourists fled to higher ground as boats were swept inland and cars and people sucked out to sea. | Residents and tourists fled to higher ground as boats were swept inland and cars and people sucked out to sea. |
US President Barack Obama declared a major disaster in American Samoa and pledged a "swift and aggressive" government response. | US President Barack Obama declared a major disaster in American Samoa and pledged a "swift and aggressive" government response. |
The European Union released an initial amount of 150,000 euros (£137,000; $220,000) in aid for the victims, and Australia and New Zealand also pledged assistance. | The European Union released an initial amount of 150,000 euros (£137,000; $220,000) in aid for the victims, and Australia and New Zealand also pledged assistance. |
The Red Cross has set up camps for those who have lost their homes, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. | The Red Cross has set up camps for those who have lost their homes, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs said. |
The Samoa islands comprise two separate entities - the nation of Samoa and American Samoa, a US territory. The total population is about 250,000. | The Samoa islands comprise two separate entities - the nation of Samoa and American Samoa, a US territory. The total population is about 250,000. |
'River of mud' | 'River of mud' |
The 8.3-magnitude quake struck at 1748 GMT on Tuesday, generating 15ft (4.5m) waves in some areas of the islands. | The 8.3-magnitude quake struck at 1748 GMT on Tuesday, generating 15ft (4.5m) waves in some areas of the islands. |
Samoa's Deputy Prime Minister Misa Telefoni said there were fears the major tourism areas on the west side of Upolu island - the eastern of the two main Samoan islands - had been badly hit. | Samoa's Deputy Prime Minister Misa Telefoni said there were fears the major tourism areas on the west side of Upolu island - the eastern of the two main Samoan islands - had been badly hit. |
UK toddler feared dead Animated guide: Tsunamis | UK toddler feared dead Animated guide: Tsunamis |
Returning New Zealand holidaymakers told of "truckloads" of bodies in the worst hit area on the southern side of Upuolo. | Returning New Zealand holidaymakers told of "truckloads" of bodies in the worst hit area on the southern side of Upuolo. |
"We've seen pick-up trucks carrying the dead... back to town," Fotu Becerra told radio Newstalk ZB, the AFP news agency reported. | "We've seen pick-up trucks carrying the dead... back to town," Fotu Becerra told radio Newstalk ZB, the AFP news agency reported. |
Joey Cummings, a radio broadcaster in Pago Pago told the BBC that he watched from a balcony as a five-metre (15ft) wave struck, and "the air was filled with screams". | Joey Cummings, a radio broadcaster in Pago Pago told the BBC that he watched from a balcony as a five-metre (15ft) wave struck, and "the air was filled with screams". |
He said a "river of mud" carried trees, cars, buses and boats past his building, which is practically at sea level. | He said a "river of mud" carried trees, cars, buses and boats past his building, which is practically at sea level. |
The Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuila'epe Sailele Malielegaoi, said he was shocked at the devastation. | The Prime Minister of Samoa, Tuila'epe Sailele Malielegaoi, said he was shocked at the devastation. |
"So much has gone. So many people are gone," he told Australia's AAP news agency. | "So much has gone. So many people are gone," he told Australia's AAP news agency. |
American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono said the effects of the tsunami would touch everyone. | American Samoa Governor Togiola Tulafono said the effects of the tsunami would touch everyone. |
"I don't think anybody is going to be spared in this disaster," he said. | "I don't think anybody is going to be spared in this disaster," he said. |
Stealing food | |
American Samoa homeland security spokeswoman Betty Ahsoon said looting had become a problem in Pago Pago as many shops had been damaged. | |
But she said police were prioritising the recovery operation. | |
"We have limited people to police the area as our first responders, including the police, are out assisting people affected," she said. | |
Local journalist Aufage Fausia, told AFP looters were looting cigarettes and alcohol from shops but were mostly taking food. | |
The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said the quake struck at a depth of 33km (20 miles), some 190km (120 miles) from Apia. | The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre (PTWC) said the quake struck at a depth of 33km (20 miles), some 190km (120 miles) from Apia. |
Small tsunamis reached areas as far away as New Zealand, Hawaii and Japan. | Small tsunamis reached areas as far away as New Zealand, Hawaii and Japan. |
An Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004 - which killed about 230,000 people in 11 countries - is the worst on record. | An Indian Ocean tsunami on 26 December 2004 - which killed about 230,000 people in 11 countries - is the worst on record. |
Separately on Wednesday a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck a different fault line off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, killing at least 200 people. | |
It was followed a day later by another 6.8 magnitude quake in the same region. | |
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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