Australia 'will help tsunami victims'

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has said his government will offer help to those affected by the tsunami in the South Pacific.

He said he had been in contact with the acting prime minister of Samoa to pass on Australia's condolences.

An 8.3-magnitude quake struck at 1748 GMT on Tuesday, generating 15ft (4.5m) waves in some areas of the islands.

At least 77 people have been reported dead in Samoa, more than 25 in American Samoa and at least six in Tonga.