A Tsunami alert has been issued after the powerful earthquake measuring 8.8 on the Richter scale struck at a depth of 62 km beneath the seabed near the Kamchatka Peninsula, a seismically active region in Russia, known for its volcanic activity.
According to the BBC, the tremor occurred at approximately 11:25 AM local time (00.25 BST ) on Wednesday, shaking buildings in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky and causing panic among residents. Emergency services were immediately mobilized, and coastal towns were evacuated as tsunami waves—some reported to be over 2 meters high—reached parts of the Kamchatka shoreline within an hour of the quake.
Tsunami Alert in Pacific Coastal Region
The Russian authorities have confirmed moderate structural damage, but no casualties have been reported yet. Local authorities continue to assess the situation. Several nations, including Japan, the Pacific Coast of the United States (Alaska), Canada, and China, have issued a tsunami alert as a precaution.
Air and sea transport in the affected zones have been temporarily suspended. Scientists are closely monitoring aftershock activity, as the region remains vulnerable to secondary tremors.
Authorities have urged people in low-lying coastal areas to remain on alert and follow official guidance. More details are awaited. However, as per the AP report, Japan and Hawaii have downgraded their earlier warnings.