A teenager from New Zealand who died after being swept away in a flash flood in Samoa was in the country with her family for a memorial service.
Seven members of the Pilitati family, who live in Wellington, were caught in the flood while swimming in the Vaisigano River near Apia on Thursday.
The police in Samoa say the swimmers were taken by surprise by a surge of water, and were swept downstream.
Assistant Police Commissioner Leaupepe Fatu Pula says an 18-year-old girl drowned and the other six family members were treated in Samoa's national hospital.
He says they had arrived in Samoa just that day, to attend a family memorial service.
It's believed the flood was caused by heavy rain in the nearby mountains.
Radio New Zealand International correspondent Tipi Autagavaia said the weather was sunny and hot and it would have been hard to predict the river surge in the low-lying area.
New Zealand's Deputy High Commissioner Stuart Horne says the family has been offered consular assistance and advice, and are also being supported by extended family in Apia.
