.gif)
The preliminary cost of infrastructure damage following the horrific tsunamis that hit Samoa has been estimated at more than 36 million dollars, but will escalate, officials said Thursday.
A disaster has been declared for the whole of Samoa which along with neighbouring American Samoa and nearby Tonga bore the brunt of the damage generated by the 8.0 magnitude earthquake which struck Tuesday.
At least 148 people were killed including 110 in Samoa, mainly in the south and southeastern districts of the main island Upolu.
The toll is expected to rise as search teams continue efforts to locate missing people and aircraft circle over the coast looking for bodies at sea.
"The preliminary cost of infrastructural damage alone is estimated at around 96.9 million Samoan Tala (36.13 million US) but expected to escalate," the National Disaster Council said in a statement.
"Damages were mainly to resorts, family homes and community buildings, roads, power lines and water supply located along the coastline of the affected areas. In other areas, villages were completely destroyed."
At least 146 people were injured and 1,000 families were left without homes.
Meanwhile, Fiji has reportedly offered to assist Samoa by providing engineers and medical .
The United Nations Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs has also announced it is deploying an emergency team to Samoa.
The United Nations office said it stands ready to provide assistance as required and is already mobilising to do so.
