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Tsunami rescue begins in Pacific Tsunami rescue begins in Pacific
(40 minutes 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 workers on the Samoan islands and Tonga are continuing to search for survivors after a tsunami struck, killing at least 149 people.
Rescue officials said planes carrying medics, food, water and other supplies were heading to the stricken Pacific islands of Samoa and American Samoa. The prime minister of Samoa said 110 people were dead on his islands and the devastation "was complete".
They said tens of thousands of people need help in villages swamped by waves triggered by a huge earthquake. Officials said planes carrying aid supplies were arriving on Samoa and nearby American Samoa.
They said tens of thousands of people need help in villages swamped by waves triggered by Tuesday's 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. 'No house standing'
Samoan officials say it could take a week before the full extent of the damage is known. "The devastation caused was complete," Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele told Radio New Zealand after inspecting the south-east coast of the main island of Upolu, the hardest-hit area.
There have also been reports of looting in Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa. "In some villages absolutely no house was standing. All that was achieved within 10 minutes by the very powerful tsunami."
Major disaster
Amateur video footage showed villages destroyed, homes flattened and cars lodged in treetops.
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Amateur video of the tsunami aftermath in American SamoaAmateur video of the tsunami aftermath in American Samoa
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 class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8282224.stm">Pacific tsunami: Countries hit class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8282670.stm">Big quake strikes off Indonesia class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8282882.stm">Eyewitness: On air when tsunami hit class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8281956.stm">In pictures: Pacific tsunami class="" href="/2/hi/science/nature/8282255.stm">Tsunami alerts warn islanders class="" href="/2/hi/asia-pacific/8282826.stm"> Samoa's vulnerable islands He said his own village of Lesa had been washed away.
Samoan authorities have said that some islanders remain unaccounted for and may well have been washed out to sea or buried under tonnes of debris, says the BBC's Phil Mercer in the Samoan capital Apia.
But nearly two days after huge walls of water crashed into coastal areas the massive recovery effort is starting to take shape, he says.
In nearby American Samoa, a US territory, Governor Togiola Tulafono said at least 30 people had been killed. And in Tonga, officials said nine people were dead.
Major disaster
Amateur video footage showed villages destroyed, homes flattened and cars lodged in treetops.
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.
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
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 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. Returning New Zealand holidaymakers told of "truckloads" of bodies in the worst hit area on the southern side of Upolo, in Samoa.
UK toddler feared dead Animated guide: TsunamisUK 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.
"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.
"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.
"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. Separately on Wednesday a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck a different fault line off the Indonesian island of Sumatra, killing hundreds of people.
It was followed a day later by another 6.8 magnitude quake in the same region.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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