By 3News.co.nz staff with AP, NZPA
A Samoan reporter says tsunami victims "are everywhere" in a hospital near a hard-hit area and the dead could number up to 39.
The 8.3-magnitude earthquake struck in the South Pacific between Samoa and American Samoa around 6:48am (NZT) at a depth of 33km, sending terrified residents fleeing for higher ground as the tsunami swept ashore. Civil Defence here issued a warning, which has since been downgraded to a threat advisory.
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Mike Reynolds, superintendent of the National Park of American Samoa, was quoted as saying four tsunami waves 5-7m high roared ashore soon afterward, reaching up up to 1.5km inland.
Associated Press reporter Keni Lesa said three or four villages on the popular tourist coast near the southern town of Lalomanu on Samoa's main island of Upolu had been "wiped out" by waves that roared ashore early Wednesday.
Lesa said he had visited the town's main hospital where "there are bodies everywhere", including at least one child.
Click here to read more about the tsunami's effects in the Pacific Islands.
The Samoan government has not yet confirmed fatalities. Officials in neighbouring American Samoa say at least 14 people have been killed there.
Casualties in the south-east villages have been reported to 3 News by Fire Commissioner Tony Hill. Emergency teams have been sent to the area.
Three children have been “killed when the waves through” says Rua McCamey. They were school children in Falealili. The school buildings are now underwater.
“It was terrible,” says Mrs McCamey.
Watch Rua McCamey's interview here.
Tsunami warning sirens were activated on both the West and East Coast beaches of New Zealand this morning, before a 40cm wave struck Gisborne. Residents in low-lying housing were told to head to higher ground.
Aucklander Tua Saseve, Rua McCamey’s brother, says he is concerned for his relatives in Samoa after hearing that one person had died.
He says the coastal part of a village called Aufaga is under water. He talked to his 80-year-old mother who thought it was the “worst earthquake she has ever felt”.
New Zealander Graeme Ansell said the beach village of Sau Sau Beach Fale was levelled.
"It was very quick. The whole village has been wiped out," Ansell told National Radio from a hill near Samoa's capital, Apia. "There's not a building standing. We've all clambered up hills, and one of our party has a broken leg. There will be people in a great lot of need 'round here."
A tsunami swept into Pago Pago, capital of American Samoa, shortly after the earthquake, sending sea water surging inland about 100m before receding, leaving some cars stuck in mud.
The staff of the port ran to higher ground, and police soon came by, telling residents to get inland.
In Fagatogo, water reached the waterfront town's meeting field and covered portions of the main highway, which also was plagued by rock slides.
In Samoa, the powerful quake jolted people awake.
"It was pretty strong; it was long and lasted at least two minutes," one resident told local radio.
"It's the strongest I have felt, and we ran outside. You could see all the trees and houses were shaking," he said.
Sulili Dusi told New Zealand's National Radio that "everything dropped on the floor and we thought the house was going to go down as well. Thank God, it didn't." Along with neighbours, they fled to high ground.
She said the tsunami hit the south side of the island, and some "cars have been taken." She did not elaborate, but added "we just thank God no life has been taken yet."
Another resident, Dean Phillips, said the southern coast of Upolu island had been struck by the tsunami.
"The police are sending everybody up to high ground," he said.
Local media said they had reports of some landslides in the Solosolo region of the main Samoan island of Upolu and damage to plantations in the countryside outside Apia.
Civil Defence says a wave up to one metre could hit coastal areas of the country , in the aftermath of the deadly earthquake and tsunami that hit Samoa.
A potential threat to coastal areas of the country remained, despite downgrading the tsunami warning earlier today.
Tide gauges had measured a wave of 40cm on the East Cape and 25-30cm on the North Cape.
"However it is not certain whether this is the largest wave that will impact New Zealand," the ministry said.
People living in coastal areas were urged to remain vigilant and to stay clear of beaches. The threat of strong currents also remained.
Earlier New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade said it was aware of reports that two New Zealanders were hospitalised in Samoa following the earthquake and subsequent tsunami.
An elderly woman and a pregnant woman who were staying at a resort near Lalomanu were suffering from shock but were not seriously injured, Fairfax Media reported.
MFAT said it was looking into the welfare of all New Zealanders in Samoa.
The ministry said New Zealanders concerned about family members in Samoa should try to make contact with them in the first instance.
Those with ongoing concerns could call the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade on 04 439 8000, with as many contact details as possible.
Japan has issued its own tsunami warning around 1:15pm (NZT).
The 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami dubbed “the boxing day tsunami” that tore through Indonesia, Sri Lanka, India and Thailand had peaks of up to 25m.
3 News / NZPA / AP