- A magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck Russia’s Kamchatka region, triggering global tsunami alerts.
- Doctors in Kamchatka performed surgery during the quake, refusing to abandon their patient.
- Tsunami waves up to 5.7 feet hit Hawaii, while Japan evacuated 1.9 million people.
- China, Peru, Chile, and other countries are on high alert.
- Aftershocks continue, but experts say a stronger quake is unlikely in the immediate future.
Kamchatka, Russia – As a massive magnitude 8.8 earthquake rocked Russia’s Far East early Wednesday, a team of Russian doctors made a stunning decision — to continue surgery mid-quake.
With surgical lights swinging and medical equipment shaking violently, the doctors steadied their patient and completed the operation, a moment now hailed globally as an act of rare medical courage.
The dramatic scene was captured in a now-viral video seen by Y News, showing medics at a Kamchatka hospital bracing the operating table and calmly continuing the procedure even as the room trembled under the force of one of the most powerful quakes to hit the region in over 70 years.
Russia’s Health Minister for the Kamchatka region, Oleg Melnikov, confirmed the event in a Telegram post.
“Despite intense shaking, our medical team did not abandon their patient. They completed the procedure safely. This is a testament to the bravery and professionalism of our frontline workers.”
The quake struck at 119 km southeast of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, a city of 165,000 people. With a shallow depth of just 19.3 km, its impact was immense.
Initially measured at 8.0, the magnitude was later upgraded by the U.S. Geological Survey to 8.8 — making it the most powerful earthquake in Kamchatka since 1952.
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov called it the strongest tremor “in decades,” confirming structural damage across several towns. A kindergarten was among the damaged buildings, though no deaths have been reported so far.
Tsunami Waves Trigger Pacific-Wide Alerts
The quake sent tsunami waves crashing into parts of Russia’s coast. Severo-Kurilsk, a port town, reported partial flooding, and vessels were swept from their moorings at a fish processing plant. But the threat quickly expanded beyond Russia.
The U.S. Tsunami Warning Center issued widespread alerts, warning that waves over 3 meters (10 feet) were likely in northern Hawaii, Russia, and Ecuador. Waves between 1 and 3 meters were possible in Japan, Chile, the Solomon Islands, and other Pacific regions.
5.7-Foot Tsunami Hits Hawaii, Mass Evacuations Ordered
The Pacific threat materialized quickly. On Maui, a wave measuring 5.7 feet (1.74 meters) struck Kahului, while Hilo recorded a 4.9-foot (1.5-meter) wave, according to the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center.
Hawaii went on full tsunami alert. Residents were ordered to move to higher ground or the upper floors of sturdy buildings. The U.S. Coast Guard instructed all ships to evacuate harbors.
“Destructive tsunami waves are expected. Take immediate action,” the Honolulu Department of Emergency Management warned.
Honolulu Mayor urged citizens to “get yourself as high as you possibly can,” even as early footage from Waikiki Beach and Hanalei Bay showed minimal surf changes at the expected impact time of 7:10 p.m. local time.
U.S. President Donald Trump confirmed that a Tsunami Watch had also been issued for Alaska and the U.S. West Coast.
Japan on High Alert, Fukushima Evacuated
In Japan, where memories of the 2011 tsunami remain raw, authorities evacuated 1.9 million people along the Pacific coastline.
At the Fukushima nuclear plant, precautionary evacuations were carried out, and Nissan Motor Co. halted operations at multiple factories.
Three tsunami waves were observed, the largest reaching 60 cm (2 feet). No injuries or nuclear threats were reported. Public broadcaster NHK aired footage of people sheltering on rooftops in Hokkaido, and fishing boats fleeing ports to escape potential waves.
China and Latin America Also on Alert
China issued a tsunami alert for Zhejiang Province and Shanghai, expecting waves up to 1 meter.
In Peru, authorities announced they were on “constant surveillance”, and Chile, Costa Rica, and other Latin American nations remained under warning for waves between 1–3 meters.
After the initial quake, the U.S. Geological Survey recorded a 6.9-magnitude aftershock.
Danila Chebrov, director of the Kamchatka Geophysical Service, said: “The seismic activity remains high, but we don’t anticipate another quake of this magnitude in the short term. Our teams are actively monitoring the situation.”
