Video: Moment when tsunami sweeps across Russia's Kuril Islands after 8.7 magnitude earthquake

A powerful magnitude 8.7 earthquake off Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday (July 30) triggered a tsunami that swept across the northern Kuril Islands, leading to the urgent evacuation of Severo-Kurilsk, a coastal town in Russia’s Sakhalin region.

Sakhalin Region Governor Valery Limarenko reported that the initial tsunami wave reached Severo-Kurilsk’s shoreline soon after the quake.

🚨🌊 WATCH: Tsunami hits Severo-Kurilsk coast

📹 Social media users are sharing videos showing tsunami waves striking the coastal zone of Severo-Kurilsk, Russia, after a powerful earthquake off the Kamchatka coast. https://t.co/KGjkah43Xe pic.twitter.com/i8wa2FdKYi

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) July 30, 2025

AFTERMATH of the earthquake and tsunami waves in Severo-Kurilsk

Massive FLOODING and damage caused pic.twitter.com/22I7b4VI2I

— RT (@RT_com) July 30, 2025

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In response, officials swiftly ordered the evacuation of the town’s approximately 2,500 residents to higher ground for safety.

“Residents remain safe on high ground until the tsunami threat is completely lifted,” Limarenko stated, adding that emergency services are on high alert and “all necessary measures are being taken to ensure public safety and restore normal life in the area.”

Local media and officials shared videos capturing the tense moments as tsunami sirens were blasted through the town, with water encroaching on the shoreline and residents hurriedly moving to elevated areas.

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While no immediate casualties or significant damage have been reported, the Alaid fish processing plant in Severo-Kurilsk was flooded, and all workers were safely evacuated.

Elena Semenova, head of the Yuzhno-Sakhalinsk seismic station, told RIA Novosti that a tsunami threat has been declared across the entire Kuril Islands chain due to the earthquake’s intensity.

Earlier, Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov called it the strongest quake in a decade.

He added that damage inspections were underway at key facilities, including schools, hospitals, and kindergartens.

🔴 Kamchatka earthquake — what’s known so far

🔸 A magnitude 8.7 earthquake struck Kamchatka — the strongest in the region since 1952.

🔸 Aftershocks up to M7.5 are expected over the next month.

🔸 Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov called it the strongest quake in a decade.… https://t.co/XMtlu0dPf4 pic.twitter.com/XDIMKmipq2

— Sputnik (@SputnikInt) July 30, 2025

From Japan, reports emerged that at least four whales have washed up along the coast there. A tsunami warning is in place for Japan, as well as Alaska, US West Coast and Hawaii..