A powerful tsunami has slammed into Russia’s northern Kuril Islands, prompting authorities to declare a state of emergency and launch a full-scale evacuation effort.
Triggered by a massive undersea earthquake in the Pacific Ocean, the tsunami sent towering waves crashing into coastal areas, including the port town of Severo-Kurilsk. Local officials confirmed that residents were safely evacuated just in time.
“There was enough time—an entire hour,” said Mayor Alexander Ovsyannikov, speaking to reporters. “Everyone was evacuated. All residents are now in the tsunami safety zone.”
Dramatic footage captured water rushing through the town’s port, carrying debris and battering infrastructure, as emergency sirens blared across the island.
The seismic event has also put other Pacific nations, including Japan and the United States, on high alert amid fears of further wave activity.
In the aftermath of the tsunami, parts of Russia’s Sakhalin region have been plunged into darkness. The regional power grid suffered significant damage, state-owned RIA Novosti reported, quoting the Governor of Sakhalin.
Electricity was shut off across several communities following the impact of the tremor and ensuing tsunami, with authorities now working to assess the full scale of infrastructure damage.
Emergency response teams say evacuations were completed swiftly and no casualties have been reported so far. However, access to coastal areas remains restricted until power is restored and safety inspections are finalized.
“Our priority now is restoring critical services and ensuring no secondary hazards emerge,” said a spokesperson from Russia’s Emergency Ministry.
With the region still under tsunami threat, officials have urged the public to remain in safe zones and avoid returning to low-lying areas. Neighboring countries continue to monitor wave patterns closely, with seismic experts warning of potential aftershocks.
The Kuril Islands, located between Japan and Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula, are no strangers to seismic activity—but authorities say this event has been one of the most serious in recent years.
