Live footage from coastal areas in both Japan and Hawaii is streaming on Wednesday (30 July) as tsunami warnings remain in force following a massive earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula. The 8.8-magnitude quake – among the most powerful recorded this decade – triggered tsunami waves that have already struck parts of Russia and Japan, prompting mass evacuations and widespread disruption across the Pacific region.
Waves up to 4 metres slammed into Russia’s Kuril Islands, while Japan’s Meteorological Agency recorded tsunami surges of up to 40 centimetres in at least 16 locations along the northern coastline, including Hokkaido. Tsunami alerts have also been issued for Alaska, western Canada, and areas as far south as New Zealand, with coastal residents urged to avoid beaches, harbours, and low-lying zones.
Several injuries have been reported in Russia’s far east, while more than 900,000 people in Japan were placed under evacuation advisories as emergency sirens echoed through dozens of municipalities.
Kamchatka governor Vladimir Solodov said: “This was the most serious earthquake we’ve experienced in decades.”
Footage shared by Russian media showed rising water breaching coastal roads and residents scrambling to higher ground. Similar scenes were reported in Japan, where trains and ferry services were suspended and tsunami shelters opened.
Live streams from cameras in both Japan and Hawaii show quiet coastlines amid ongoing alerts, with officials warning that further waves may arrive hours after the initial impact.
The full extent of the damage is still being assessed, and authorities continue to monitor for aftershocks and changing ocean conditions.