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Over 100 Dead After 8.0 Earthquake Near Samoan Islands
By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 30, 2009
Modified Sep 30, 2009
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By
Jen Chung
Published Sep 30, 2009
Modified Sep 30, 2009
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Yesterday, a 8.3 magnitude earthquake occurred in the South Pacific, triggering a tsunami; the death toll for Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga is now at 111. President Barack Obama declared a "major disaster" for America Samoa and ordered aid to be sent to the area, while the Australian government pledged aid to Samoa. Samoa's prime minister said in spite of the toll, "Had it happened in darkness, there could have been more disaster in terms of the number of those who died or are missing."
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America Samoa
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Jen Chung
Jen Chung is a former WNYC and Gothamist editor.
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