Magnitude 8.8 earthquake off Kamchatka triggers tsunami

A magnitude 8.8 earthquake, one of the strongest in the world in recent decades, struck off the eastern coast of Kamchatka. The epicentre was in the Pacific Ocean about 120 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky.

Tsunami waves reached the coasts of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands. In Severo-Kurilsk part of the port was flooded, and residents were evacuated to higher ground.

Tsunami warnings were issued in Japan, Hawaii, California, Chile and other Pacific countries. Millions of people were evacuated from coastal areas.

The governor of Kamchatka reported damage to buildings, including a kindergarten. According to preliminary information, no one was seriously hurt.