Russia declares emergency on tsunami-hit islands

Authorities in Russia’s far eastern Sakhalin region have declared a state of emergency in the northern Kuril Islands, where tsunami waves have damaged buildings and caused flooding.

“A state of emergency has been declared in the North Kuril District, where an earthquake and tsunami occurred today,” the Sakhalin government said in a statement, Al Jazeera reports.

Russia’s TASS news agency is reporting that while the first wave to flood the town passed without incident, a third powerful wave tore ships from their places, carrying them out to sea.

The port and fishing facilities were flooded, according to the Russian Emergency Ministry.

The town’s 2,000 residents had evacuated to higher ground.

A video posted on Russian social media appeared to show buildings in the town submerged in seawater.

Several people were injured during the earthquake in Russia’s far east, Russia’s state TASS news agency is reporting.

“Unfortunately, there are patients who were injured during the earthquake,” Kamchatka’s health minister, Oleg Melnikov, was quoted as saying by TASS.

“All patients are in satisfactory condition. No serious injuries have been reported at this time,” he added.