29 Sep 2015

Pacific marks six years since deadly tsunami

1:51 pm on 29 September 2015

Today marks six years since the Pacific tsunami that claimed 189 lives across Samoa, American Samoa and Tonga.

On Saturday, American Samoa held a memorial service for the 34 victims killed there.

The names of the children, father and mothers, who died in the tsunami were read and monetary awards were presented to the children who lost their parents.

The money was donated by the One Global Family organisation, founded by Laura Ava-Tesimale.

People gather at a memorial service for in American Samoa for victims of the 2009 tsunami.

People gather at a memorial service for in American Samoa for victims of the 2009 tsunami. Photo: RNZI/supplied Monica

The Governor, Lolo Matalasi Moliga said the pain and suffering endured by families of the victims of the tsunami still lingers on and will never end.

Lolo also said the territory should also re-evaluate the adequacy of local agencies to prevent the recurrence of the loss of life through natural disasters.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre led tsunami drills with government and other agencies over the weekend.

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