Deadly Tsunami Hits Samoa Islands after Powerful Earthquake

The 8,3-magnitude earthquake hit at 1748 GMT at a depth of 33km. Photo by BGNES

A powerful earthquake has struck near the Samoa islands, triggering a tsunami that has hit the shores of several Pacific nations.

A tsunami of over 3 meters has allegedly been generated, it has already hit American Samoa and Samoa allegedly killing over 50 people, injuring hundreds more and causing damage to buildings. Some coastal villages in American Samoa and Samoa are said to have been washed away by "5 waves".

The 8,3-magnitude earthquake hit at 1748 GMT at a depth of 33km, the BBC reported.

Its epicenter was about 190km south-west of Apia on the island of Samoa, the US Geological Survey said.

A tsunami warning was issued for the Samoa islands, New Zealand, Tonga, Fiji and other Pacific islands, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre said.

The Samoa islands comprise two separate entities - the nation of Samoa and American Samoa, a US territory - with a total population of about 250 000 people.

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