Powerful Earthquake Strikes Northeast Russia, Residents Evacuated

This morning, a powerful earthquake measuring up to 8.7 on the Richter scale hit Kamchatka. The tremors were felt throughout the peninsula, with a recorded intensity of up to 8 points in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky. Residents reported furniture falling, alarm systems activating, and communication disruptions.

The epicenter was located 161 km from the coast at a depth of 32 km, marking the strongest earthquake since 1952. The earthquake was preceded by several weaker shocks the previous night and in the morning.

In Severo-Kurilsk, a fish processing plant has been inundated, and evacuations are underway. Flights at Yelizovo Airport have been delayed, and shop windows and building ceilings have been damaged. The city is experiencing traffic jams as residents move to higher ground.

A tsunami warning has been issued for the entire coastal area of Kamchatka and the Kuril Islands, with alerts also issued for Japan, Alaska, California, Oregon, and the Hawaiian Islands.