On September 18, 2009, a powerful tsunami struck the Pacific islands of Samoa, American Samoa, and Tonga. Triggered by a magnitude 8.0 earthquake, the tsunami caused widespread destruction and claimed the lives of at least 200 people. The tsunami struck without warning, leaving little time for evacuation. Coastal areas were devastated, with entire villages swept away by the waves. The event highlighted the vulnerability of island nations to natural disasters and sparked a global humanitarian response.