Tsunami waves hit Hawaii as massive earthquake off Russia triggers Pacific evacuations | BBC News

A powerful magnitude 8.8 earthquake struck off Russia's far eastern Kamchatka Peninsula at about 11:25am local time on Wednesday, triggering tsunami warnings and evacuation orders in the US and Japan. The first waves have reached Hawaii, with a 4ft (1.2m) wave recorded off Oahu, while Japan's Meteorological Agency says tsunami waves have reached parts of the country’s coast. Hawaii Governor Josh Green has asked people to heed evacuation orders and stay calm, while US President Donald Trump advised Americans to be on alert for tsunami warnings. Russia's Sakhalin region has declared a state of emergency in the northern Kuril Islands and the Severo-Kurilsk district, with tsunami waves impacting the port town of Severo-Kurilsk. Tsunami advisories have also been issued in countries including the Philippines, Indonesia and New Zealand, warning people to stay away from beaches.