Magnitude 8.8 Earthquake Strikes Off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula

WASHINGTON / ANKARA, July 30 (Bernama-Anadolu) -- An 8.8 magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, generating tsunami warnings across the Pacific Ocean region, Anadolu Ajansi (AA) reported, quoting the United States Geological Survey (USGS).

The epicentre was located at a depth of 20.7 kilometres (km) (12.8 miles) and was centred 119 km (73.9 mi) east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, it said.

The Russian Academy of Sciences said it was the strongest quake to hit the region since 1952.

The earthquake was shallow and powerful enough to trigger waves or a tsunami.

Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov said on Telegram that the earthquake "was serious and the strongest in decades."

Several people in Kamchatka were injured after the earthquake, regional Health Minister Oleg Melnikov told state news agency TASS.

TASS separately reported that some 2,700 people were evacuated to safe areas in the Kuril Islands after the powerful earthquake.

“No serious injuries have been recorded," Melnikov was quoted as saying.

An evacuation order was declared for the small town of Severo-Kurilsk in the Sakhalin region following a tsunami warning.

Tsunami waves inundated parts of the city of Severo-Kurilsk after the powerful quake, RIA Novosti reported, citing Russia's Emergency Situations Ministry.

A state of emergency was declared in Severo-Kurilsk after the earthquake, TASS reported.

The US Tsunami Warning System issued a warning of tsunami waves along some coasts of Russia, Japan, Alaska, and Hawaii.

The Honolulu, Hawaii Department of Emergency Management called for the evacuation of some coastal areas in Hawaii.

"Take Action! Destructive tsunami waves expected," it said on X.

The National Weather Service San Francisco Bay Area said a tsunami advisory was in effect for the California coast.

"Stay away from the water! Stay away from beaches and waterways! Remain away from shore until local officials say that it is OK to return," it said on X.

California Governor Gavin Newsom later said a tsunami warning is in effect along parts of California’s North Coast, from Cape Mendocino to the Oregon border.

Newsom said his office is coordinating with local officials.

"Please stay alert and follow instructions from emergency personnel," he said on X.

The US Coast Guard Oceania issued an order for all commercial vessels to evacuate all commercial harbours in Hawaii.

"All harbours are closed to incoming vessel traffic," it said on X.

Japan and Indonesia also issued tsunami warnings after the powerful quake, prompting urgent calls for coastal evacuations.

The Japan Meteorological Agency warned that tsunami waves up to 3 metres (nearly 10 feet) could strike areas from Hokkaido to Wakayama and the Ogasawara Islands, according to the Kyodo News Agency.

Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi called for immediate evacuation to higher ground, while railway service was also suspended in some areas.

Indonesian authorities also issued a tsunami alert and advised residents near the coast to seek higher ground.

The Indonesian Meteorology, Climatology and Geophysics Agency said the earthquake had the potential to trigger a tsunami in several regions of the country with an alert status or wave heights of less than 0.5 m (1.6 ft), according to the state-run Antara News Agency.

Peru issued a tsunami alert on Tuesday following the massive quake, according to the country’s navy.

Peru’s National Tsunami Warning Centre triggered the alert along the coast.

“The event will be continuously monitored,” the Navy’s Directorate of Hydrography and Navigation said on X.

The tsunami “generated by this earthquake is expected to reach the Peruvian coast on Wednesday morning, with waves not expected to exceed three metres in height,” said Hernando Tavera, head of the country’s Geophysical Institute.

With tsunami alerts now issued in Russia, Japan, the US, Indonesia, and Peru, the warnings span four continents.

-- BERNAMA-ANADOLU