The earthquake has triggered tsunami warnings for several countries, including Japan and parts of the US.

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. (Euronews)