Up to 113 people are reported to have died as the true extent of the devastation caused by the tsunami yesterday is coming to light in Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga yesterday.
So far, at least 47 people have been confirmed dead in Samoa, 22 in neighbouring American Samoa and 7 in Tonga after the 8.3 magnitude earthquake yesterday morning.
Fears remain that any aftershocks could trigger more tsunamis.
This report from Radio New Zealand:
Fiji was lucky to escape the tsunami and after concerns were raised that it took almost 2 hours after the tsunami warning was issued by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center for the warning to be sent out to the people of Fiji, urgent steps are now being taken to rectify the situation.
Minister for Defense Ratu Epeli Ganilau said government will have to relook at ways to get information out quickly in times of disaster.
Chairman of the Fiji Tsunami Working Group, Weather Office director Rajendra Prasad, said they are currently in talks to shift the responsibility of issuing tsunami warnings from the Mineral Resource Department to his office to ensure a quick response.
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Up to 113 reported dead
