-
A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake has struck off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, prompting powerful tsunami waves and evacuation alerts all over the Pacific. The shallow quake took place at a depth of just 19 km and has been termed as the region’s strongest since 1952, damaging buildings and injuring many in Kamchatka.
Tsunami waves of up to 4 metres (13 feet) were reported in parts of Russia, flooding harbours and damaging infrastructure. Hawaii and Japan also issued urgent evacuation orders, and alarms were sent out along Japan’s eastern coast. In Hawaii, residents were moved to higher places as ships were shifted from ports.
Latest pictures from Honolulu showed deserted beaches as the first waves approached. The US Tsunami Warning System also alerted the other countries. A warning of waves up to 3 metres across Alaska, Chile, the Solomon Islands, and Ecuador was issued. The incident has distressed the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is a horseshoe-shaped zone around the edges of the Pacific Ocean that is known for having volcanic eruptions, frequent earthquakes and major tectonic activity. The ongoing seismic risks in the volatile region have been a matter of concern. -
This shows an empty beach in Shirahama, Wakayama prefecture, western Japan, Wednesday, July 30, 2025 after beachgoers evacuated as a powerful earthquake in Russia’s Far East prompted tsunami alert in parts of Japan. (Photo source: AP
-
People take shelter on the roof of a fire station in Mukawa town, Hokkaido, northern Japan, Wednesday, July 30, 2025, after a powerful earthquake in Russia’s Far East prompted a tsunami alert in parts of Japan. (Photo source: AP)
-
In this image taken from a fixed position video, people wave tsunami warning flags, seen in the background, to beachgoers immediately after a strong earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, in Shirahama, Wakayama prefecture, western Japan Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Photo source: AP)
-
This image taken from a video released by the Geophysical Service of the Russian Academy of Sciences, shows the aftermath of a tsunami hitting the coastal area of Severo-Kurilsk at Paramushir island of Kuril Islands, Russia, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Photo source: AP)
-
In this image taken from a video released by Russian Emergency Ministry Press Service, rescuers inspect a kindergarten damaged by an earthquake in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, Wednesday, July 30, 2025. (Photo source: AP)
-
Ewa Beach residents Carlo Salas and CJ Jasper, with their families, are evacuated at the side of Kunia Road to escape the tsunami threat Kapolei, Oahu, Hawaii, Tuesday, July 29, 2025. (Photo source: AP)
EPFO’s pension rules: 5 major changes for EPS account holders – find out what’s new
