Devastating Tsunami Strikes Russia's Kuril Islands and Japan's Hokkaido

A powerful tsunami has swept through coastal regions of Russia's Kuril Islands and Japan's Hokkaido Island following an 8.7-magnitude earthquake early Wednesday. The seismic event prompted immediate emergency responses in the affected areas, with local authorities urging residents to move to elevated locations for safety.

In Honolulu, tsunami warning sirens rang out on Tuesday, prompting people to seek refuge uphill. The Japan Meteorological Agency recorded the first tsunami wave at about 30 centimeters at Nemuro, Hokkaido's eastern coastline. Meanwhile, in Severo-Kurilsk, the principal settlement on Russia's Kuril Islands, inhabitants were guided to higher grounds as a caution against potential subsequent waves.

The Pacific Tsunami Warning Center indicated that some coastal zones in Hawaii, Chile, Japan, and the Solomon Islands could see waves between 1 and 3 meters above normal tide levels, while regions in Russia and Ecuador might face even higher impacts. In Russia's Kamchatka, the Tass news agency observed citizens evacuating homes hastily, with noticeable structural shaking leading to power outages and disruptions to mobile services. The tsunami alert extends across Alaska's Aleutian Islands and the U.S. West Coast, with precautionary measures being implemented nationwide.

(With inputs from agencies.)