By Euronews Travel with AP
Published on 30/07/2025 – 10:30 GMT+2
•Updated
11:01
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A powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake off the east coast of Russia on Wednesday morning has triggered tsunami waves that have already reached Japan and Hawaii. Warnings are in place in the US state of Alaska.
It is one of the strongest earthquakes recorded in modern history.
Japan has ordered nearly 2 million people to evacuate, warning that tsunami waves could continue for more than a day.
Tsunami alerts of varying levels have also been issued across many Pacific islands, parts of China, the Philippines, Indonesia, New Zealand, Peru, Mexico and the Galapagos Islands off Ecuador.
Travellers urged to heed local authority evacuation orders
The UK Foreign Office has updated its travel advice for 15 countries. Travellers are being warned to follow the advice of local authorities and watch for updates if they are in a place where an alert has been issued.
The first tsunami waves have reached Hawaii, with a 1.2 metre swell recorded off Oahu. A 1.74 metre has been recorded at Kahului, Maui, while one of 1.5 metres was recorded in Hilo.
Hawaii Governor Josh Green has asked people to follow evacuation orders and stay calm.
A 1.3 metre wave has reached Japan’s northern Iwate prefecture, according to the country’s weather agency, with others showing up in the Fukushima and Miyagi prefectures.
The tsunami has also hit the coast of California, according to the US National Weather Service.
It has reached the shore in Arena Cove and Monterey in the north of the state, and is making its way further south, the service adds.
In Indonesia, residents and tourists in Papua, North Sulawesi, North Maluku and Gorontalo have been advised not to approach coastal areas.
Tsunami alert complicates travel in Japan
Ferries connecting Hokkaido and Aomori on the northern tip of Japan’s Honshu island were suspended, as well as those connecting Tokyo and nearby islands.
Some local train operations have been suspended or delayed as well, according to operators.
Sendai airport says its runway has been temporarily closed with two domestic flights, one from Fukuoka and another from Osaka, diverted to other airports
Flights diverted away from Hawaii
Several flights have already been diverted away from Hawaii following tsunami warnings, according to FlightRadar24. That includes some that had already departed from Los Angeles, Vancouver, San Francisco, and San Diego.
Honolulu Airport is not closed but is advising travellers to check directly with their airline for the most up-to-date flight status and travel advisories.
Alaska Airlines and Hawaiian Airlines have suspended services to, from or within the Hawaiian islands. As a safety precaution, Alaska Airlines said that flights en route to Hawaii are returning to the mainland or diverting as needed.
“Guests with travel to, from or within the Hawaiian Islands should check the status of their flight before heading to the airport. We are monitoring airport conditions with government agencies and could see operational impacts,” the airline said in a statement.
It added that a waiver is in place to allow passengers flexibility to adjust their travel plans.
Cruise ships in Hawaii forced to depart ahead of schedule
The US Coast Guard has ordered all commercial vessels to evacuate Hawaiian ports, with all harbours closed to incoming traffic.
Norwegian Cruise Line’s Pride of America ship has been forced to depart from Hilo harbour in Hawaii around two and a half hours ahead of schedule.
Many passengers and crew were not able to get back to the ship before it left the port, leaving them stranded.
Oceania Cruises’ Oceania Regatta also reportedly executed an early departure Kailua-Kona port.
A ship in deeper waters will barely notice a tsunami travelling below it, and so it is standard procedure for vessels to head away from the port when a tsunami is likely to hit.
AloJapan.com