20 Oct 2009

Ongoing aftershocks in Samoa have residents quickly seeking higher ground

2:36 pm on 20 October 2009

Samoa has been hit by yet another strong aftershock, the third in in the last twenty four hours.

Two of the quakes have been measured at 6 point one on the Richter scale, the other was slightly weaker.

Our correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia, says the shake at around midday lead to a short delay in the sitting of parliament:

"It caused a lot of panic, people worried, but there are no tsunami warnings issued and I think that's the best thing since we had one last Wednesday local time here, and two yesterday and one this morning. We've heard the Prime Minister tell parliament that people should not wait for any warning after a major earthquake or even a five point one or six point one earthquake, it's better for them to leave their houses and run to the higher ground."

Our correspondent in Apia, Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia