IAEM Oceania

Source:
Killer tsunami reaches Tonga, deaths reported by ABCNews

The Tongan government says it has reports of 10 deaths on the island of Niuatoputatu, which borders Samoa, after this morning's earthquake and tsunami.

Source: Sinalei Reef Resort & Spa

Sinalei Reef Resort and Spa would like to advise that all guests and staff on the resort at the time the Tsunami hit are safe and accounted for and guests have been relocated to other undamaged resorts in Upolu, Samoa.

As you will appreciate, the news from Samoa is rather sketchy due to communication problems throughout the country. However, the pier and Ava I Toga Restaurant have been destroyed or severely damaged, along with the Presidential Suite and Honeymoon Fale. The Beachside Fales have sustained some damage while the Ocean View and Garden View Fales are all unharmed as is the Laumosooi Restaurant, Pool and Reception/Front Office areas.

The Resort is closed until further notice and thank you for your understanding and support at this difficult stage.

Source: Twitter, CourierMail

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/gallery/0,23816,5060888-17382-1,00.html

http://twitpic.com/joc4j - Pago Plaza with DDW on the first floor
http://twitpic.com/jobxk - GHC Reid Vaimalu Water Bottling Plant
http://twitpic.com/jobqy - Development Bank of American Samoa
http://twitpic.com/jobk5 - Devastation in Pago!
http://twitpic.com/jobgl - The old Soli and Mark's reduced to rubbles
http://twitpic.com/jobba - The Tool Shop
http://twitpic.com/job45 - An aiga bus and pickup truck in front of Sadie's Restaurant

Source: SkyNews.com.au

A Defence Force Orion has left New Zealand for Samoa to help in the aftermath of the tsunami. The New Zealand government sent the Orion to help search for survivors and assess damage after the powerful earthquake and subsequent tsunami. Up to 34 are dead in Samoa and American Samoa, with the toll expected to rise. Foreign Affairs Minister Murray McCully's office has received reports of people being washed out to sea following the tsunami. Mr McCully said New Zealand's diplomatic missions throughout the Pacific were in contact with local authorities.

Source: Reuters

"It's believed as of now, there could be a number close to 100 deaths," said Ausegalia Mulipola, assistant chief executive of Western Samoa's disaster management office. "They are still continuing the searches for any missing bodies in the area," Mulipola told Reuters, adding the southern side of the country's main island Upolu was the worst hit. "There have been reports of villages, where most of the houses have been run over by the sea," he said. "Some areas have been flattened and the tsunami had brought a lot of sand onshore, so there have been reports the sand has covered some of the bodies. So we need specialized machines to search for bodies that are buried under the sand."

Source: CNN

At least 17 deaths were confirmed, said Dr. Salamo Laumoli, director of health services of American Samoa. "Two or three villages have been badly damaged," he told CNN International. An American Samoa homeland security official working at the island's emergency operations center told CNN that the death toll is expected to rise to at least 20. The tsunami wave hit right in the middle of the harbor of Pogo Pogo, the capital, Cinta Brown said. Water damage and infrastructure damage was reported throughout the island, she said. The village of Leone was "sadly devastated," Brown said. "The wave came onshore and washed out people's homes."

Source: Radio NZ news @ 1500 NZDT

There are reports of people collecting others property that has been washed up on the beach in Samoa following the tsunami. It is being reported as looting.

Source: New Zealand Herald, MFAT

New Zealand's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade says it is 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.

Samoa's Deputy Prime Minister has indicated that there have been at least 42 fatalities in Samoa.

Samoa's deputy prime minister Misa Telefoni believes as many as 42 people may have died in this morning's earthquake and tsunami, and the south coast of Upolu has been devastated. "We've had very heavy damage all along the coast and most of the tourist resorts have been wiped out." Mr Telefoni told Stuff.co.nz that Samoa would be "most definitely" appealing for international aid as the country had suffered heavy infrastructure damage, both from the tsunami and the earthquake. He said a short time ago Samoa's main international airport was re-opened after having to be checked for earthquake damage.

Some photos in American Samoa and New Zealand are available in this Stuff article.

Source: New Zealand Government

Minister praises Kiwis' readiness for tsunami

Civil Defence Minister John Carter has congratulated regional civil defence operations and coastal communities for their organisation and response to the tsunami warning issued for New Zealand this morning.

An earthquake measuring 8.3 on the Richter scale caused widespread damage in Samoa this morning, and triggered a tsunami which reports suggest has wiped out buildings and claimed lives.