British couple's son drowns in tsunami; South Pacific death toll reaches 119.

Byline: MARK BULSTRODE

A BRITISH couple whose toddler son is feared dead after being swept away in the devastating tsunami that tore through islands in the south Pacific Ocean were being helped by New Zealand consular staff last night.

The boy, who has not been named, was on a Samoan beach with his parents when he was swept away early on Tuesday by waves up to 20ft high.

A spokesman for the British High Commission in New Zealand said that contrary to earlier reports, the boy was a New Zealand citizen although his parents are British.

Sources said the couple had emigrated to New Zealand where the boy was born and were holidaying on the island when the massive wave hit.

The death toll last night reached 119 as authorities confirmed that 89 people died in Samoa, 30 in American Samoa and six in Tonga.

The British High Commission in New Zealand said there were no further reports of British casualties and that most Britons known to be on the islands at the time of the tsunami had now been traced.

Prime Minister Gordon Brown and the Queen have spoken of their sadness at the deaths.

Thousands of people were left homeless as entire communities were destroyed.

Buildings were flattened and cars swept away, while a large boat was washed up alongside a road.

The FCO issued advice urging against "all but essential travel" to the area.

The tremor, with a magnitude of between eight and 8.3, struck about 120 miles from American Samoa, a US territory.

Stephen Rogers, the British honorary consul in Samoa, said the entire island had been shaken by the initial earthquake.

"It was a very big earthquake and the tsunami came about 20 to 30 minutes later," said Dr Rogers. "It took anything in its path. Roads have been pretty much washed away.

"Houses have been washed away or knocked down."

Samoan prime minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said some people had managed to flee before the towering wave hit.

"Thankfully, the alarm sounded on the radio and gave people time to climb to higher ground," he said. "But not everyone escaped."

He added: "So much has gone.

So many people are gone. I'm so shocked, so saddened by all the loss."

Governor Togiola Tulafono said a member of his extended family was among the dead in American Samoa.

"Each and every family is going to be affected by someone who's lost their life," he said.

Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd said two Australians had died, including a six-year-old girl.

CAPTION(S):

A boat destroyed the tsunami Destruction in Pago Plaza on American Samoa A car is pushed up against a bridge after sea water from the tsunami filled a small stream in the village of Fagatogo