Samoa's prime minister and Chairman of the National Disaster Council, Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, announced the closing of all schools after the pre-dawn earthquake.
Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia reports.
"The Prime Minister went on air live in both government and private radio stations early in the morning and informed the whole nation about his decision. This was before the tsunami warnings were later cancelled. Tuilaepa in his position as chairman of Samoa's National Disaster Council, has warned the public to take safety precautions in times like this. Although the warnings have been ceased Samoa is in a volatile situation for the next 24 hours. The Commissioner of Police has called off all local leave taken by the officers and were told on radio stations to report immediately to the head office in Apia. All emergency agencies both in government and the private sector are on standby as well. There are no reports of damages since the earthquake Samoa at 4.27am local time. The last big earthquake in Samoa occurred in 1995, measured at 8 on the richter scale."
