Tsunami hits American Samoa, no injuries reported

Tsunami hits American Samoa

PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — A tsunami swept into Pago Pago (Pan-go, pan-go) in American Samoa shortly after an earthquake with a preliminary magnitude of 7.9 shook the Pacific area.

There were no immediate reports of injuries or structural damage.

Fili Sagapolutele, who works at the Samoa News, says water flowed inland about 100 yards before receding, leaving cars stuck in mud.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center in Honolulu issued a tsunami warning for American Samoa and other areas of the Pacific, including New Zealand. A tsunami watch was posted elsewhere, including Hawaii and the Marshall Islands.

The temblor hit at 6:48 a.m. Tuesday (1748 GMT) midway between Samoa and American Samoa. In the Samoan capital, Apia, families fled their homes for higher ground amid severe shaking that lasted for up to three minutes.