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A group of Auckland students on a school work project in Samoa had to run to high ground as waves washed through the seaside fales they were staying in.
Ten students and four adults from Sacred Heart College awoke to the violent shaking of an earthquake just before 7am yesterday, New Zealand time.
Then, the water level rose and "layers" of waves washed through the coastal villages. Police, fire engines and ambulances moved through the villages with sirens blaring instructing locals to move to high ground.
The group had left New Zealand for Samoa on Friday night and students were billeted with families in villages on the Upolu side of the island of Savai'i.
Student Alex Murray, 17, who was staying in a fale on the water's edge, said that after the tremors his host family looked out at a cluster of waves gathering a few kilometres out to sea and began shouting: "Tsunami, tsunami, tsunami."
Alex watched as a shelf of water approached the fale, and another wave came over the top, sweeping through the home. Moving to higher ground, he watched as loose coconuts and even a small pig, which had been inside the fale, were claimed by the waves.
How you can help
Pacific Cooperation Foundation
Deposits can be made at at any Westpac branch. All the money raised will go to the Samoan Government
Red Cross
- Make a secure online donation at www.redcross.org.nz
- Send cheques to the Samoan Red Cross Fund, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144
- Call 0900 31 100 to make an automatic $20 donation
- Make a donation at any NZ Red Cross office
ANZ bank
Make a donation at any ANZ bank branch, or donate directly to the ANZ appeal account: 01 1839 0143546 00
