A DUAL Samoan-Australian citizen was killed in the tsunami in Samoa last week, as local officials said 176 people had died and 12 remained missing across Samoa, Tonga and American Samoa.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade said five Australians had died and more casualties might be found.

But the department downgraded its travel warning yesterday as concerns of further danger from the tsunami eased.

''We regret to confirm that we learned on Saturday that a 30-year-old Samoan Australian woman has also died,'' said a spokeswoman. ''We express condolences to the woman's family in Australia and Samoa … We cannot rule out the possibility that more Australians may have been killed or injured.''

She said officials were still trying to contact 24 Australians believed to be in the Sumatra region in Indonesia when an earthquake struck last week, though none has been confirmed dead or injured.

''Embassy officials continue strenuous efforts to confirm the welfare of Australians who may have been in the area,'' she said.

Australia has deployed several hundred people to assist with the aid and recovery efforts in Indonesia and the Pacific.

In Samoa, 108 Australians have been sent to assist with medical aid, public health advice, damage assessment and victim identification.

A chartered flight carrying emergency supplies was due to arrive yesterday.

Supplies including marquees, generators and hurricane lamps have been flown over and transported to a French frigate and were due to be delivered to Niuatoputapu this morning.

Three injured Australians who were evacuated from Samoa are being treated in a Queensland hospital. One is in a serious condition.

Three others were released on Friday.