Earthquake damages buildings in Russian Far East

MOSCOW (Reuters) – A major earthquake struck the Kamchatka
peninsula in Russia’s Far East on Friday, damaging some
buildings and slightly injuring a few people in the remote
region, the Emergencies Ministry said.

The 7.7 magnitude tremor occurred at 12:25 p.m. local time
(2325 GMT Thursday) roughly 7.8 miles underground, the U.S.
Geological Survey said on its Web site.

The initial quake was followed by 10 aftershocks with
magnitudes ranging between 4.5 and 6.1, according to the
survey.

“Buildings and a runway have been damaged but there are no
reports of casualties,” said a regional emergencies ministry
spokesman.

The epicenter was on Kamchatka’s eastern coast, 70 km (40
miles) east of the settlement Tilichiki, he added. Around
12,000 people live in the area affected by the quake.

“Some people had slight injuries but have been treated on
the spot. Two planes with rescue workers have been dispatched
to the area and people have been moved to higher ground where a
temporary camp is planned,” he added.

Sparsely populated Kamchatka, which is 6,000 km (3,700
miles) from Moscow, is becoming popular with adventurous
tourists, who are attracted by its volcanoes, wildlife and
opportunities for extreme sports such as heli-skiing.

A spokeswoman for the U.S. Geological Survey said it was
largest seismic event in the area since 1900.