Auckland toddler swept from parents

An Auckland 2-year-old is presumed dead after being swept from his parents in the Samoa tsunami.

The family were on a beach near the village of Lalomanu when the 6m wave struck, Britain's Guardian newspaper reported late last night. His parents were hurt but managed to swim to safety.

After being treated in hospital, they are now staying at the NZ High Commission in Apia.

The Guardian said the family, originally from Britain, were trying to get to higher ground in response to tsunami warnings when the giant wall of water overwhelmed them.

- NZPA