The public’s use of mobile phones to document events in the face of a looming disaster has come under fire from Samoa’s National Emergency Operation Centre (N.E.O.C.) Chairman.

Agafili Shem Leo, who is also the C.E.O. of the Ministry of Prime Minister and Cabinet, told a press conference at the N.E.O.C. headquarters on Monday that there have been cases of members of the public using their smartphones to document events despite orders to evacuate the area.

He said residents on the south coast of Upolu and Savai’i heard the sonic boom on Saturday afternoon triggered by the volcanic eruption in Tonga but still chose to take photos instead of evacuating.

“We advised the public last Saturday that it is not a situation where you can take photos,” he said.

“We drove by the northern side on Saturday around 10.30pm to 11pm, we witnessed something similar where some were watching the sea and sitting on the seawall, while recording with their telephones [yet the country was under a tsunami watch at the time].

“Those who will be affected first [in the event of a tsunami] are those who will be watching it happen...and also a person may be slow to run away from it.”

Agafili was accompanied to the press conference by the Assistant C.E.O. of the Meteorology Division (M.E.T.), Afaese Dr. Luteru Tauvale and the Fire and Emergency Service Authority (F.E.S.A) Commissioner, Tanuvasa Petone Mauga.

The Government’s three levels of alert in response to a tsunami were also highlighted during the press conference with Agafili reminding that there are three alert levels.

• Level 1 is the tsunami advisory where members of the public should stay tuned for more information and be prepared to take action if necessary with a possible tsunami. 

• Level 2 is a tsunami watch which means take action: a tsunami with potential for strong currents or waves dangerous to those in or near the water is expected or occurring.

• Level 3 is a tsunami warning which refers to taking action due to immediate danger: a tsunami may cause widespread flooding is expected or occurring. Public is advised to move to higher ground or inland (away from the water).

As for some of the evacuation sites for the Apia Urban area, residents can seek refuge at the Moto’otua Hospital, Malifa grounds and also the Prayer House at Mt. Vaea. While the villages on the south coast have been informed through ongoing programs, residents will evacuate to higher grounds when it is time to do so.

The increasing use of Facebook Live by the public also came under scrutiny with the head of F.E.S.A. Tanuvasa making a public appeal for the practice to be abandoned. 

He said a lot of people were opting to do Facebook Live instead of calling emergency numbers in order to be updated on the latest emergency situation. 

On the work of the MET following the 5.30pm volcanic eruption, Afaese said a tsunami advisory was issued around 7pm on Saturday, which was upgraded to a tsunami watch around 10pm on the same night.

“The tsunami watch was cancelled on Sunday morning and reduced to a tsunami advisory which remained until Monday around 5am when it was cancelled,” he said. 

He added that while they cancelled the tsunami advisory, they are still monitoring ongoing volcanic activities in Tonga.