Samoa’s Prime Minister was near tears last night as he addressed his tsunami-hit nation.

Authorities have made contact with three Australians who had been unaccounted for in the earthquake-ravaged Indonesian city of Padang, but concerns remain for four others who still have not been in touch with officials.

Andy and Angie Belcher didn't even have time to unpack their bags before the tsunami hit.

As day breaks the clean-up begins in the coastal area of south-east Upolu Island, which bore the brunt of the post-quake sea surge.

Salamasina Taufua tried desperately to keep her 8-month-old baby above water before Samoa's tsunami forced her to let her go.

A journalist with the Samoan Observer describes the fear and heartbreak as the terrible events unfolded.

Actress and psychologist Pamela Stephenson described the earthquake in Samoa as scary as hell.

New Zealand tourists have told of their terror when the tsunami smashed through their Samoan beach resort.

The tsunami death toll reaches at least 149 as new tales of devastation emerge.

Many of the Kiwis in a Samoan hospital suffered internal injuries when struck by the seven metre high tsunami waves, says a NZ MP who visited them.

Aid has begun arriving in Samoa in what will be an ongoing effort as the scale of devastation from the quake and tsunami becomes clear.

The death toll for tourists in Samoa could rise in some areas where the tsunami warning system may not have worked so well.

A salty smell hangs over the devastated Samoan village of Lalomanu as police teams pick their way through the debris looking for bodies.

A team of Army medics is flying to Samoa to join a civilian medical team that left NZ late last night as the death toll from the tsunami rises.

Residents and visitors in Samoa describe the terror of knowing what would be next after a massive quake rocked the tiny island nation

Salamasina Taufua was basking in the sun yesterday watching her three young children playing on the sand when a tsunami swept all three away.

Read here for the latest news following the Samoan earthquake and tsunami.