Massive Earthquake Shakes Kamchatka, Triggers Pacific Tsunami Alerts
A magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Kamchatka Peninsula, triggering tsunami alarms across the Pacific, including in Hawaii and Japan. Buildings were damaged and some injuries reported in Russia; no major injuries or fatalities in other regions. Authorities issued evacuation orders, while the earthquake's aftershocks persisted.
A massive earthquake measuring 8.8 in magnitude struck the Kamchatka Peninsula, sending tremors across the Pacific and setting off tsunami alerts in multiple regions. Authorities in Hawaii and Japan issued evacuation orders for coastal residents, with live broadcasts showing largely empty beaches as waves approached.
The earthquake's epicenter was 119 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Despite the severity, there were no serious injuries or fatalities. Buildings in Kamchatka suffered damage, and tsunami waves inundated a Russian port town. In Japan, operations at several factories were halted as a precautionary measure.
Experts called it the strongest quake to hit Kamchatka since 1952. Tsunami warnings extended to the U.S. West Coast as aftershocks of up to magnitude 6.9 followed. While significant damage was avoided, the event highlighted the seismic volatility of the Pacific Ring of Fire.
(With inputs from agencies.)
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