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Tsunami waves arrived on the eastern coast of Japan on Wednesday following a powerful earthquake off the eastern coast of Russia.
The 8.8 magnitude earthquake triggered fears of a tsunami across much of the Pacific Ocean basin, including the shores of Hawaii, southern Alaska, the entire U.S. West Coast and British Columbia.
Tsunami Warnings are in effect for Hawaii and parts of Alaska and the U.S. West Coast, while British Columbia is under a Tsunami Advisory after the earthquake struck just east of Petropavlovsk, Russia, according to FOX Weather.
Several people were injured in the remote Russian region of the Kamchatka Peninsula, while much of Japan’s eastern seaboard was ordered to evacuate.
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“Today’s earthquake was serious and the strongest in decades of tremors,” Kamchatka Gov. Vladimir Solodov said in a video posted on Telegram.
A tsunami with a height of 10-13 feet was recorded in parts of Kamchatka, according to Sergei Lebedev, regional minister for emergency situations.
Several people underwent medical assistance after the earthquake, Oleg Melnikov, regional health minister, told TASS, a Russian-owned news agency.
“Unfortunately, there are some people injured during the seismic event. Some were hurt while running outside, and one patient jumped out of a window. A woman was also injured inside the new airport terminal,” Melnikov said.
“All patients are currently in satisfactory condition, and no serious injuries have been reported so far,” he added.
Russia’s Ministry of Emergency Services said the port in the Sakhalin town of Severo-Kurilsk and a fish processing plant in the area were partially flooded by a tsunami. People in the area have been evacuated.
A kindergarten was also damaged, but most buildings withstood the earthquake and no fatalities were reported, the ministry said.
Japan’s weather agency said it expected tsunami waves of up to 10 feet to reach large coastal areas.
Tsunami alarms sounded in coastal towns across Japan’s Pacific coast, as authorities urged people to seek higher ground.
Many people on the northern island of Hokkaido were seen on the roof of a building, sheltering under tents from the beating sun, as fishing boats were removed from harbors to avoid potential damage from the waves, according to footage on public broadcaster NHK.
No injuries or damage have been reported so far, Japan Chief Cabinet Secretary Yoshimasa Hayashi said.
Waves reaching more than 10 feet were possible along some coasts of Russia and Ecuador, while waves of three to 10 feet were possible in Japan, Hawaii, Chile and the Solomon Islands, the U.S. Tsunami Warning System said. Smaller waves were possible along coastlines across much of the Pacific, including the U.S. West Coast.
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“Due to a massive earthquake that occurred in the Pacific Ocean, a Tsunami Warning is in effect for those living in Hawaii,” U.S. President Donald Trump wrote on social media. “A Tsunami Watch is in effect for Alaska and the Pacific Coast of the United States. Japan is also in the way.”
California Gov. Gavin Newsom later said a tsunami warning was in effect along parts of California’s north coast.
Hawaii ordered evacuations from some coastal areas. Residents of low-lying areas were urged to either move to higher ground or to the fourth floor of a building.
“People need to evacuate, that’s very clear,” Hawaii Gov. Josh Green said in a video posted to X.
“Take Action! Destructive tsunami waves expected,” the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management wrote on X.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Reuters contributed to this report.
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