Dozens killed in Samoa tsunami
WASHINGTON. September 30. KAZINFORM. Dozens of people have been killed by an 8.3-magnitude tsunami that hit the remote Pacific islands of American and Western Samoa, officials said on Wednesday; Kazinform refers to RIA Novosti.
The quake struck early in the morning around 120 miles (190 kilometers) from American Samoa, a U.S. territory. U.S. President Barack Obama has declared the territory a major disaster area and ordered urgent support for rescue efforts.
AFP said at least 22 people have been confirmed dead in American Samoa, while Reuters said the total death toll on the two island nations could be over 100.
Local radio in Pago Pago, the capital of American Samoa, said five consecutive waves with the height of at least five meters (16.4 feet) hit the island destroying houses and cars, but that most residents managed to escape to higher ground; Kazinform cites RIA Novosti. See www.en.rian.ru for full version.