Scores of people were dead and missing today after a powerful earthquake in the South Pacific hurled a massive tsunami at the shores of Samoa and American Samoa.

At least 82 people were killed when a powerful earthquake in the Pacific Ocean triggered a tsunami which swept ashore on Samoa and American Samoa.

A fresh tsunami alert rang out in the capital of Samoa in the South Pacific today, hours after tsunami waves crashed ashore, killing at least 39 people and leaving scores unaccounted for.