Japan issued evacuation orders for many coastal areas on Tuesday after a massive earthquake struck near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula.
The earthquake, with a magnitude of 8.8, happened in the Pacific Ocean northeast of Japan. Soon after, the Japan Meteorological Agency (JMA) warned of possible tsunami waves along the country’s Pacific coastline.
Authorities told residents in low-lying areas, especially in Hokkaido and northern Japan, to evacuate immediately. Over 1.9 million people across more than 130 cities and towns were affected by the warning.
Early waves reached about 60 centimeters, but experts warned that larger waves could still come. People were advised to stay away from the shore until the all-clear was given.
Japan also took safety steps at the Fukushima nuclear power plant. Workers were evacuated as a precaution, but no damage or radiation leaks were reported.
Tsunami warnings were also issued in Hawaii, parts of the U.S. West Coast, and other Pacific islands. People in those areas were told to stay away from beaches and harbors.
Japan has one of the world’s fastest disaster alert systems and took quick action to warn the public. The government said people should remain alert, as more waves or aftershocks could follow.
As of now, there are no reports of serious damage or injuries in Japan.
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