Six year old Australian Girl Killed in Samoa Tsunami

From Australia’s ABC News

Australian Prime Minister has confirmed the death of the young girl.

A 50-year-old Australian woman, Maree Blacker has also died. Mr Rudd says three Australians are still missing in Samoa and seven are in hospital.

Mr Rudd says his thoughts are with the girl’s family.

“This is an absolute tragedy and our prayers go out to her family,” he said.

“The High Commissioner is seeking to provide comfort and support to her family as we speak.”

The death toll from the tsunami which swept through the Pacific this morning has passed 100 and 1,000 have lost their homes.

Resorts, homes and a newly built hospital have been washed away.

Doctor Puni of the Medcen Private Hospital in Apia says people inland and inside bungalows on the beach, are among those who were caught up in the tsunami.

“Some of them saw the wave coming and so they were heading out towards higher ground and the wave just overtook them, while they were on flight to higher grounds unfortunately and some of them did not have very much option at all,” he said.

‘Reef sucked dry’

Tourists are gathered at the airport in Samoa recounting their tales of holiday horror.

New Zealander Hamish Nead was out surfing when the tsunami hit.

He says the reef was sucked dry in front of his eyes.

Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele says his country is shocked. He says everything happened like lightning and there was no time to run.

Australia has two Air Force Hercules aircraft ready to fly emergency supplies to Samoa.

Australia, New Zealand and France are working together to coordinate sending the aid.

The Parliamentary Secretary for International Assistance, Bob McMullan, says Australia will be sending medical supplies and other emergency help.

second Australian death. (Reuters : Cynthia Luafalealo ) // <![CDATA[//

• Video: Samoa in ruins (ABC News)
• Audio: Local Samoans also hit by tsunami (The World Today)
• Related Story: Australian tsunami victim named
• Related Story: Wiped out: panicked calls as water surges
• Related Story: Fresh tsunami alert for Samoa

Related Link: In pictures: tsunami wreaks havoc in Samoa

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