A powerful tsunami struck coastal areas of Russia and Japan on Wednesday following a massive 8.8-magnitude earthquake in the Pacific Ocean near the Kamchatka Peninsula.
In Russia’s Far East, the tsunami hit Severo-Kurilsk, a town in the northern Kuril Islands, forcing the evacuation of over 2,500 residents to higher ground. Authorities in the Sakhalin Region confirmed that emergency services remain on high alert, and residents are being kept in safe zones until the situation is fully under control.
Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Situations has deployed disaster response teams to assess the damage and provide relief. While no deaths have been reported, the Alaid fish processing plant in Severo-Kurilsk was submerged. All employees were safely evacuated. Drone footage from the town showed flooded streets and damaged buildings. Only minor injuries have been recorded so far.
The earthquake triggered tsunami waves of up to four meters across the Pacific, setting off widespread alerts. In Japan, waves measuring up to 1.3 meters were recorded along the eastern coast. Evacuation advisories were issued for over 1.9 million residents in 21 prefectures.
In the United States, tsunami waves reaching four feet were reported in parts of Hawaii. Governor Josh Green urged residents to stay away from coastal areas due to risks of flooding and property damage.
Tsunami warnings have also been issued along the U.S. West Coast—including California, Oregon, and Washington—where waves are expected to reach coastal communities.
Other countries under tsunami advisories include the Philippines, Indonesia, Taiwan, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Mexico, and New Zealand.
Authorities in affected regions continue to monitor the situation closely and coordinate emergency responses.
BBC