18 Oct 2009

Prayers, fasting to commemorate tsunami victims

8:26 am on 18 October 2009

Churches in Samoa are holding a national week of prayers and fasting to remember those lost in the devastating tsunami.

The huge waves that struck with destructive force on 29 September killed 143 people in Samoa, 32 in neighbouring American Samoa and nine in Tonga.

An official service at the Government's Prayer House in the Samoan capital Apia on Sunday (local time) will begin the commemorations arranged by the country's National Council of Churches.

Samoa's public servants are being asked to help enforce the week of prayer.

Samoan churches in New Zealand are not taking part, but many are holding separate memorial services.