A powerful undersea earthquake off the Kamchatka Peninsula, Russia, has triggered widespread evacuation orders across multiple countries as authorities prepare for anticipated tsunami waves.
In Japan, over 1.9 million residents have been instructed to evacuate, with coastal communities urged to move to higher ground. Numerous wave detections have been reported along Japan’s entire Pacific coastline and the national weather agency has warned of potential waves reaching up to three meters in height.
On Hawaii, emergency shelters have been opened and evacuation orders are in place. Governor’s warnings have emphasized the likelihood of tsunami waves impacting the islands, prompting residents to seek refuge in elevated areas. Evacuations have also commenced along the US West Coast.
Initial reports from Kamchatka indicate injuries resulting from the earthquake, though no fatalities have been confirmed thus far. Tsunami warnings of varying levels have been issued for regions including parts of China, the Philippines, Indonesia, Guam, Peru and the Galapagos Islands, off the coast of Ecuador. The full extent and potential destructive power of the tsunami waves remain to be seen.