Pacific Tsunami Death Toll Climbs Past 100

untitled11111111.bmp
People walk among a scene of devastation following a powerful quake, in Pago Pago village, on American Samoa Tuesday, Sept. 29, 2009. (Photo: AP / SamoaNews.com, Ausage Fausia)

President Barack Obama declared on Wednesday a major disaster for American Samoa, a day after it was hit by a massive tsunami.

The death toll is currently at 113 people and dozens remain missing.

A powerful earthquake, with a magnitude of 8.0, struck around dawn Tuesday (Tuesday night Eastern Time) in the South Pacific, triggering the tsunami over the islands of American Samoa and Samoa.

Filipo Ilaoa, deputy director of the American Samoan office in Honolulu, told The New York Times that the tsunami struck just minutes after the quake, giving residents little to no warning or time to move to higher ground.

Several villages were wiped out and buildings were flattened by the towering waters.

Obama sent his condolences to the families who lost loved ones and vowed a "full, swift and aggressive response" to the disaster.

"The Federal Emergency Management Agency is in close and constant contact with emergency responders, and the U.S. Coast Guard is fully supporting the deployment of resources to those areas in need of immediate assistance. We also stand ready to help our friends in Samoa and the region," he said in a statement.

FEMA said it is dispatching teams to affected areas for assessments and preparing to send supplies to meet the immediate needs of the survivors.

Some faith-based groups, including Christian nonprofits Convoy of Hope and World Vision, have their hands full with relief and recovery efforts in Georgia and the Philippines, where flooding has affected hundreds of thousands of people. But they are monitoring the situation in the tropical islands and preparing to respond.

World Vision Indonesia's Humanitarian and Emergency Affairs director, Jimmy Nadapdap, said the organization will try to fly out an assessment team to determine their course of action.

Along with providing food and water, securing alternative shelter will be critical, Nadapdap said.

    Most Popular
  • Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Is 'The Last Supper' worth watching? Audience and critics weigh in

    Faith-based films often receive mixed reactions, and The Last Supper is no exception. The movie attempts to bring a fresh perspective to one of the most iconic moments in Christian history, but does it succeed? Some reviews from critics and audiences provide insight into its strengths and shortcomings.

  • ‘The Chosen’ Season 5: The darkest season yet—What to know before watching

    The wait is over—The Chosen is back with its fifth season, and this time, things are getting intense. The new episodes dive straight into the final days of Jesus’ life, covering some of the most emotional and dramatic moments in the Bible. If you’ve been following the series, you already know that The Chosen isn’t just about retelling familiar stories—it’s about bringing them to life in a way that feels real.

  • Massacres in Syria: Over 1,000 dead, including Christians and Alawites

    Syria’s coastal regions have been devastated by a series of massacres, with reports indicating that over 1,000 people—many from Christian and Alawite communities—have been killed in brutal attacks. Entire families have been wiped out, and survivors are fleeing in search of safety as sectarian violence escalates.

  • Kim Sae-ron and Wheesung: The tragic irony of Korean society and the principles of happiness

    Not long ago, the media was in an uproar over actress Kim Sae-ron’s passing. Just months before, the same people who had relentlessly criticized her for her DUI incident were now expressing sympathy, saying, "The world was too harsh on her." The irony is impossible to ignore.

  • Newsboys move forward as a quartet after Michael Tait’s departure

    After more than a decade as the lead singer of the Newsboys, Michael Tait has officially parted ways with the band, marking a significant shift in the Christian rock group’s lineup. The remaining members—Jeff Frankenstein, Jody Davis, Duncan Phillips, and Adam Agee—have assured fans that they will continue forward, embracing a new season of music and ministry.