What was supposed to be a peaceful island getaway turned into a nightmare for hundreds of tourists, including British holidaymakers, when an 8.8-magnitude earthquake near Russia’s Kamchatka Peninsula triggered tsunami warnings across the Pacific.
Cruise Ships Flee While Passengers Watch in Horror
Tourists in Hawaii were left stunned and stranded as cruise ships pulled away from port without warning, trying to escape the potentially deadly waves headed their way.
Many passengers were left running toward their ships as they sailed off, leaving behind scenes of panic and confusion.
One TikTok user, @demifreeman, posted a video showing frantic tourists sprinting along a dock, desperately trying to board their ship.
“POV: tsunami in Hawaii and your cruise is leaving without people. Actually insane,” the caption read.
People on board were just as frightened.
The user added, “We are going to be in the middle of the tsunami in the ocean,” capturing the fear shared by many caught in the unexpected chaos.
Evacuations Ordered Around the Pacific
Countries across the Pacific began ordering evacuations as tsunami alerts spread from Hawaii to Japan, Colombia, Russia, and parts of the U.S. West Coast.
Waves as high as 15 feet were reported in some regions.
In California, the impact reached the shore with waves up to 3.6 feet tall.
Governor Josh Green of Hawaii initially called for a halt in flights to and from Maui as a precaution, although evacuation orders were eventually lifted after updated assessments.
Stranded Tourists Share Raw Experiences Online
Another social media clip, shared by @mandythecruiseplanner, showed a busload of passengers arriving at the port—only to find their ship had already departed.
“The ship is leaving and now we’re going to higher ground,” Mandy said, visibly shaken.
“It’s chaos. Nobody knows what’s going on. The bus driver didn’t even have a clue.”
She went on to describe the distress among the crowd.
“People are crying. Some are yelling at staff. We’re scared, and communication is all over the place. I’ve never experienced anything like this.”
British Tourists Recount Terrifying Moments
Among the affected was Rachael Burrows from Macclesfield, Cheshire, who was on a tour of Hawaii’s Big Island when the alerts hit their phones.
“We were luckily heading back to the cruise ship when we got emergency alerts saying we were in immediate danger and needed to head to higher ground,” she told BBC Breakfast.
Her guide initially brushed off the warnings, claiming they were nothing unusual.
But when sirens started blaring and updated warnings came through, the urgency became real.
“We made it back just in time,” she said.
“We were some of the last ones allowed on. Others weren’t so lucky—they were told to stay on land and seek shelter uphill.”
Hundreds Left Behind as Ships Pull Away
Rachael later told Sky News that about 600 passengers didn’t make it back to the cruise ship.
“The tour operator messaged us to say those left behind had to seek higher ground. It was terrifying,” she said.
Locals in Hawaii also began climbing to safety, bracing for the waves as the quake’s effects rippled across the Pacific.
Warnings and Rising Waters Prompt Widespread Alerts
The Hawaii Emergency Management Agency urged residents to stay far from marinas and river mouths due to the danger of water surges.
Boats were advised to head into deep water if possible.
Although the Pacific Tsunami Warning Center later downgraded Hawaii’s alert to a mere advisory and confirmed no major damage, they still cautioned residents about unusual ocean activity.
Some U.S. states like Oregon, Washington, Alaska, and California recorded abnormal waves between 0.7 and 3.6 feet.
Authorities Still Watching the Situation Closely
Emergency services continue to monitor the coastline, warning that water levels may continue to rise and fall dramatically over the next 24 hours.
The National Weather Service in Los Angeles described the tidal surges as potentially damaging and rapid, cautioning people to stay away from flooded areas even after waters recede.
In French Polynesia, authorities also prepared for significant impact, expecting waves up to four metres to strike islands like Ua Huka and Hiva Oa.
What’s Next?
While the immediate threat to Hawaii seems to have passed, other parts of the Pacific are still on high alert.
Coastal residents are being urged to stay vigilant and keep away from the water.
Monitoring agencies remain active, ready to issue further updates if the situation changes.
As for the stranded cruise passengers, many are still grappling with fear, confusion, and disrupted holiday plans—left hoping for safe passage and clear communication as they regroup and wait out the aftermath of the quake-triggered chaos.