A six-year-old Australian girl, a Tasmanian woman celebrating her 50th birthday and a Victorian woman are dead after a massive earthquake and tsunami struck the Pacific island of Samoa - and there are fears the toll could rise.
Prime Minister Kevin Rudd told the Seven Network on Wednesday of the death of the girl, describing it as an "absolute tragedy".
There were no further details.
Maree Blacker, of Longford in Tasmania, was with her husband John, a well-known horse trainer, for her milestone birthday when celebrations turned to tragedy.
Troy Blacker, John's brother, said the pair were due to return home in a few days.
"John's got a few injuries sustained in the earthquake and unfortunately Maree has been confirmed killed," he said.
A 56-year-old woman from Victoria was also killed but the Department of Foreign Affairs did not release her name on Wednesday night.
A two-and-a-half year-old girl from New Zealand with Australian permanent residency has also been confirmed dead.
Six Australians are in hospital but the exact number of Australians injured is uncertain.
Grave fears are held for one Australian while another six Australians in the affected area are unaccounted for.
Two chartered Australian aircraft will depart for Samoa on Thursday, carrying disaster relief supplies and medical personnel.
Mr Rudd told ABC Television Australia was with Samoa "at a time of great natural disaster and a time of great personal tragedy".
Consular officials in the Samoan capital Apia are assisting 20 Australians, who have lost "mostly everything".
There are fears the official death toll - which currently stands at 113 - could go much higher after the 8.3 magnitude quake struck Samoa and American Samoa early on Tuesday morning local time (0348 Wednesday AEST), triggering a massive tsunami that washed through the Pacific.
Another seven people have been killed in Tonga.
Samoa has formally asked for help from Australia, New Zealand and France, which are discussing how to best to provide aid such as tents, water purification tablets and medical supplies.
Tonga has not yet asked for formal help.
Mr Rudd spoke to Samoa's acting prime minister earlier on Wednesday, offering the nation's sympathies and whatever practical assistance was needed.
"We see our friends in Samoa as part of our Pacific family," he told reporters.
"We are working ... very closely, not just with the Samoans, but with our friends in New Zealand, the government of France, and others who are active in the region to provide all levels of practical support possible.
"But it may take some time before the full impact of this natural disaster is known."
Australia will despatch chartered aircraft with medical supplies, search and rescue teams and disaster recovery equipment on Wednesday night.
Canberra still has two RAAF Hercules on standby at Richmond air base to deploy, as necessary.
A disaster response team of officials from foreign affairs and defence was set to leave for Samoa on Wednesday afternoon.
The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) has reissued its travel advice for Samoa, warning of the dangers associated with the disaster that hit parts of the island popular with tourists.
Authorities aren't sure exactly how many Australians may be in the affected areas but foreign affairs parliamentary secretary Bob McMullan said it was expected to be in the hundreds, given the number who holidayed and worked in Samoa.
The numbers could be higher because of school holidays in Australia.
Tourists should still be able to leave by commercial flights but the government will consider additional assistance, if necessary.
The earthquake struck at 6.48am Tuesday local time (0348 Wednesday AEST) midway between the two island groups of Samoa and American Samoa.
Its proximity to islands meant communities had little warning of the impending giant wave that it triggered.
Mr McMullan said there was nothing to suggest the tsunami warning system had not worked.
"(But) if it is an issue we will have a look after we have dealt with the humanitarian crisis," he said.
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