8.8 quake off Russia’s Kamchatka triggers Pacific-wide tsunami evacuations

A magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, has generated 4-metre (13-foot) tsunami waves, prompting evacuations alerts in Japan, Hawaii and other Pacific regions. Authorities across Japan, Hawaii, and China raced to safeguard millions from back-to-back natural threats.

A shallow earthquake damaged structures and injured several people in Russia’s Kamchatka region. Some were hurt while fleeing, including one who jumped from a window. Power outages occurred in Sakhalin. 

"Today's earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors," Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov said in a video posted on the Telegram messaging app.

Russian scientists said it was the most powerful quake to hit the region since 1952.

Residents across Japan's Pacific coast rushed to higher ground on Wednesday as tsunami warnings. 

More than 2 million people along Japan's Pacific coast evacuated after tsunami warnings, recalling the 2011 disaster.

Fukushima workers halted decommissioning and evacuated to higher ground after the tsunami warning. 

"When the earthquake struck before, everyone evacuated to higher ground so I thought about doing the same," a woman in Fukushima told NHK.

Authorities warned waves could continue for over a day but noted no immediate safety threat.

The U.S. Tsunami Warning System also warned of 'hazardous tsunami waves' spreading across the Pacific.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced a tsunami warning for Hawaii, with Alaska and the U.S. Pacific coast under a tsunami watch. 

In Hawaii, coastal residents were urged to move to higher ground or at least the fourth floor of buildings, while the U.S. Coast Guard ordered ships out of harbors ahead of the incoming tsunami.

“Take action! Destructive tsunami waves expected,” warned the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management on X.

However, the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later said a major tsunami is not expected to strike Hawaii.

French Polynesia also issued a tsunami warning for the Marquesas Islands after an 8.8 quake in Russia's Far East. Waves up to 2.2 metres are expected, prompting people to evacuate from coastal areas to higher ground. Other islands may experience smaller waves under 30 cm.

At the same time, tropical storm Co-May made landfall in eastern China’s Zhoushan, unleashing heavy rains, powerful winds, and coastal flooding. More than 280,000 residents were evacuated from the area in Shanghai and neighbouring areas. At least 640 flights could be cancelled at Shanghai's two main airports, authorities said.

These parallel emergencies highlight the ongoing vulnerability of Pacific nations located along the seismically volatile Ring of Fire, where the threat of earthquakes, tsunamis, and storms converges with devastating speed.

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Earthquake Russia Tsunami Natural Disaster China hawaii Japan Kamchatka Shanghai