BREAKINGBREAKING,
The magnitude 8.7 quake strikes 136km east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia’s far east, according to US Geological Survey.
Tsunami alerts have been issued in multiple countries after a powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake off the Russian coast.
Waves of up to four metres high were recorded in Russia’s far-eastern Kamchatka region early on Wednesday, with warnings of hazardous waves issued for Japan, Ecuador, and the entire West Coast of the United States.
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov said in a video posted on Telegram that the quake was the “strongest in decades”.
Local media reported that several people were injured in Russia’s far east.
The Honolulu Department of Emergency Management in Hawaii urged the evacuation of residents in some coastal areas.
“Take Action! Destructive tsunami waves expected,” the agency said on X.
Japanese authorities said they expected waves as high as three metres to coastal areas.
“People in coastal areas or along rivers should immediately evacuate to safe places such as high ground or evacuation buildings,” the Japan Meteorological Agency said in a statement.
“Tsunamis can strike repeatedly. Do not leave the safe location until the warning is lifted.”
The magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck 136km (85 miles) east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky in Russia’s far east, according to the United States Geological Survey.
Subsequent quakes of magnitude 6.9 and 6.3 were recorded 147km and 131km southeast of Petropavlovsk and Vilyuchinsk, respectively, in Russia’s far east, according to the USGS.
Robert Weis, a tsunami expert at Virginia Tech, said the situation appeared to be serious.
“It is correct to be worried about this one,” Weis told Al Jazeera.
“Three meters is pretty destructive,” he said.
More to follow…
