A tsunami warning issued after a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Russia prompted mass evacuations across the Pacific, from Guam and Japan to Hawaii. Residents fled to higher ground as authorities warned of potentially destructive waves.
In Guam, former senator Sam Mabini moved her family to higher ground in Tamuning, joining others who evacuated to Agana Heights in the capital Hagåtña. The warning triggered alerts across numerous countries, with many people fleeing in the middle of the night.
In Japan, about 200 people took refuge at the Senjuin temple in Kamaishi, a city devastated by the 2011 tsunami. The chief priest, Keio Shibasaki, said they prepared lunch with stored food and were ready for a long stay. Kindergarten head Keito Fujiwara noted they used a messaging app to urge parents not to pick up children, recalling past tragedies. One woman died after her car fell from a cliff during evacuation.
In Hawaii, tsunami warning sirens blared across Oahu and Kauai. Evacuations were ordered for coastal areas, leading to traffic jams in Honolulu. The National Tropical Botanical Garden suspended tours and moved visitors to higher ground. By Wednesday, many countries downgraded their initial alerts, though waves of up to 4 metres were recorded in parts of Russia.
