Samoa Tsunami Update

Samoa Tsunami: Images and Update

The tsunami occurred after a  massive earthquake measuring up to 8.4 Mw struck in the Samoa Islands Region about 185 km (115 miles) east-northeast of Hihifo, Tonga and 195 km (125 miles) south  of APIA, Samoa.

According to various reports

• A series of of three or more tsunamis struck into the Pacific islands of American and Western Samoa destroying villages
• At least 4 villages were wiped off.
• Dozens of people, including many children, were  swept out to sea

• As many as 100 people have been killed, with many hundred more injured

• U.S. President Obama has declared American Samoa a major disaster area
• A 4-meter (13-foot) wave hit the  northern coast of Tonga.
• A Pacific-wide tsunami warning was issued, but later canceled.

• Japan’s Meteorological Agency (JMA) issued a local tsunami warning for its east coast, warning of a possible tsunami waves measuring up to 50cm.
• The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later reported that small tsunami waves had indeed reached Hawaii, and warned swimmers and boats that the waves could prove dangerous.
• Several  South Pacific island nations reported rising sea levels.

Formerly Leone village, American Samoa. Photograph: Ardie Roque/EPA. Image may be subject to copyright.

Cont…

• The southern section of American Samoa’s main Tutuila island  was “devastated,” its governor said, with at least 24 people  killed and twice as many injured.
• As video images come in,  the extent of the damage becomes more evident with homes destroyed by the waves, large fishing boats hurled ashore, and vehicles piled on top of each other.
• “Some areas have been flattened and the tsunami brought a lot of sand onshore, so there have been reports the sand has covered some of the bodies,” Western Samoa’s disaster management office said.

• “They are still continuing the searches for any missing bodies in the area,” they said, adding that the southern section of their country’s main island of Upolu was the worst hit.

A section of Fagatogo, Tutuila Island, Pago Pago Harbor, American Samoa, is seen inundated after the tsunami struck. Photograph: Fili Sagapolutele/AP.  Image may be subject to copyright.

Related Links:

• Magnitude 8.3 Quake Strikes Samoa Islands Region
• The Largest Earthquake