8.7 earthquake struck off Russia near the far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula on Wednesday, triggering a tsunami up to four metres and forcing evacuations.
Local officials reported damage to buildings after days of searing heat and strong winds across the region.
Kamchatka Governor Vladimir Solodov called it the strongest quake in decades.
Initial reports indicated no injuries. A kindergarten sustained damage during the shaking.
8.7 earthquake struck off Russia: tsunami up to four metres and strongest in decades
Regional emergency authorities confirmed tsunami waves of three to four metres in parts of Kamchatka.
People were urged to move inland and stay away from beaches and low lying coastal areas until all clear messages are issued.
The United States Geological Survey said the quake was shallow at a depth of 19.3 kilometres.
The epicentre was about 125 kilometres east southeast of Petropavlovsk Kamchatsky, a city of around 165,000 on Avacha Bay.
The magnitude was revised upward from an initial 8.0 after further analysis.
Evacuation sirens sounded in coastal districts as civil defence teams directed traffic away from the shoreline.
Ports paused operations while crews checked piers, breakwaters, and fuel depots for damage. Power and communications teams inspected lines and towers in affected zones.
Images from the area showed smoke and dust around damaged structures and crowds gathered at designated assembly points.
Authorities asked residents to keep phone lines clear for emergency use and to follow official channels for updates.
Aftershocks remain possible following a major event of this size.
Local agencies advised residents to prepare for additional shaking and to avoid returning to hazard zones until inspections are complete.
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