By Rebecca Wright
The death toll from the Pacific tsunami continues to climb tonight. It struck this morning, generated by a cluster of undersea earthquakes - the biggest was 8.3 on the Richter scale.
The quakes sent a wall of water into Apia, the capital of Samoa, and a five foot wave into Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa.
The Samoan government has tonight confirmed at least 82 people, including one New Zealander, are dead, 182 are injured, and over 100 are still missing in the aftermath.
Authorities have said they expect the death toll to rise as they reach the hardest hit areas.
The force of the tsunami is clear to see – it has bulldozed through concrete buildings and flattened entire villages. It came suddenly, and without warning.
There are similar scenes in Western Samoa – at midnight an Air New Zealand Airforce Orion leaves Apia.
“They have asked for medical supplies for tents, for temporary morgue facilities, stretchers and food supplies,” says Finance Minister Bill English.
“We’ll also be sending a medical team up tonight.”
Samoan resorts popular with tourists on the southern coast have also been hard hit.
So far one New Zealander has been confirmed dead; another 9 are in hospital in Apia.
Misi Sharplin, a New Zealander staying at Samoa’s Virgin Cove says they were relaxing on the beach when they noticed a huge wall of water.
“We all jumped in the van, and as I closed the door the wave hit us and took the van,” she says.
“It pushed us back and we hit a tree and the window smashed out. There were trees going past us and bungalows being tipped over.”
Ms Sharplin says they grabbed their passports and sprinted inland.
“You’re seriously running for your life. You’re expecting a wave to come at any minute.”
The sea is now calm, but the extent of the tsunami’s destruction will only become clear when the search and rescue effort resumes tomorrow morning.
3 News
Detailed coverage of the Samoan tsunami can be found here
If you would like to donate in support of the people of Samoa affected by the tsunami, you can do so through one of the following:
'Tsunami Samoa 09 Funds' trust account
Account name: Tsunami Samoa 09 Funds
Account Number: 01-1837-0026899-000
Bank and Branch: ANZ Sylvia Park Branch
Samoa Tsunami Relief Fund
Donations can be made at any Westpac branch
For more information contact Meg Poutasi at: meg@pcf.org.nz