Tsunami Alerts and Evacuations Follow Powerful Kamchatka Earthquake

A magnitude 8.6 earthquake hit off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, sparking tsunami warnings and evacuations. Officials reported no injuries, but some damage occurred, including at a kindergarten. The quake's shallow depth and proximity to coastlines raised concerns, prompting alerts across Russia, Japan, and parts of Micronesia.

A powerful magnitude 8.6 earthquake struck off Russia's Far Eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, triggering tsunami warnings, leading to evacuations, and causing some structural damage.

Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov described the quake as the strongest in decades. Initial reports indicated no injuries, but a kindergarten sustained damage. The quake's epicenter was about 125 km from Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, according to the U.S. Geological Survey, and its depth was 19.3 km.

The quake prompted evacuation orders in Severo-Kurilsk due to the tsunami threat. The Kamchatka Emergency Services agency noted that tsunami waves up to 32 cm might reach the coastline. The Japan Weather Agency and U.S. Tsunami Warning System issued warnings for hazardous waves in regions of Russia, Japan, and Micronesia.

(With inputs from agencies.)