SAUDI EXPATRIATES

🔘 Epicenter: 119 km east-southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia.

🔘 Depth: Shallow, at 19.3 km (12 miles).

🔘 Tsunami waves: Up to 4 meters (13 feet) recorded.

🔘 Injuries reported: Several, mostly minor.

🔘 Most powerful quake in Kamchatka since 1952. Trending: Saudi Arabia's PIF named world's most valuable sovereign wealth fund

The earthquake triggered immediate tsunami warnings from the U.S. Tsunami Warning System, predicting hazardous waves for coastlines along the Pacific Ocean. Warnings extended to Russia, Japan, Hawaii, Chile, Ecuador, the Solomon Islands, and even the U.S. West Coast.

In Hawaii, authorities ordered residents to evacuate coastal zones and seek shelter above the fourth floor in high-rise buildings. The US Coast Guard instructed ships to leave harbors, and emergency alerts urged people to act immediately. Honolulu’s Department of Emergency Management warned that destructive tsunami waves are expected.

In Japan, tsunami sirens sounded along the Pacific coastline, triggering evacuation orders for tens of thousands of residents. At the Fukushima nuclear power plant, workers were temporarily evacuated as a precaution. However, officials confirmed there were no abnormalities or damage to nuclear facilities.

In the Kamchatka region, strong tremors damaged buildings, including a kindergarten and the new airport terminal. Several people were injured, including one who jumped from a window in panic, according to local health officials. The port of Severo-Kurilsk experienced partial flooding and vessel displacement due to tsunami surges.

Governor Vladimir Solodov described the quake as the strongest in decades. Russian emergency services confirmed that, while damage occurred, no deaths had been reported. Most Viewed: Saudi Arabia reaffirms support for two-state solution at high-level UN conference

The U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) revised the earthquake magnitude from 8.0 to 8.8, and it reported several powerful aftershocks, the largest measuring 6.9.

According to Russia’s Geophysical Service, the quake is the most intense in the region since the 1952 Kamchatka earthquake. Aftershocks are expected to continue, but scientists do not anticipate stronger tremors in the immediate future.

Live footage revealed reasonably calm surf conditions in Hawaii shortly after the expected arrival of the tsunami. However, beaches like Waikiki were vacant, which indicated that residents and tourists obeyed evacuation orders. It was noticed that there was no major wave action in Hanalei Bay, which is located on Kauai Island; however, officials encouraged continuing care. Read: Jawazat extends 30-days grace period for expired visit visa holders

There have been reports of tsunami waves reaching up to 60 centimeters (24 inches) in Japan; however, as of the most recent update, there have been no severe injuries or damage reported. In order to guarantee the safety of its employees, the automobile manufacturer Nissan temporarily halted operations at numerous domestic sites.

U.S. President Donald Trump issued a statement urging residents in Hawaii to take warnings seriously and confirmed a Tsunami Watch remained in effect for Alaska and the U.S. Pacific Coast.

The Kamchatka Peninsula is located within the Pacific Ring of Fire, which is one of the regions on Earth that experiences the highest levels of seismic activity. As a result of the presence of tectonic plate borders, this geological region is prone to experiencing significant earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.

The Russian Academy of Sciences experts noted that the epicenter's features limited surface shaking despite the earthquake's high magnitude. Join Saudi Expatriates News channel on WhatsApp