Russia's Kuril Islands on tsunami alert

MOSCOW: Russia's emergency ministry issued a tsunami warning Friday for the Kuril Island chain after a powerful quake struck off Japan, officials said.

"A potential tsunami warning is declared for the Kuril chain that includes four islands claimed by Japan," a spokeswoman for regional emergencies ministry told AFP.

"People are being evacuated," spokeswoman Yekaterina Potvorova said. She added that the tsunami warning did not include the nearby Sakhalin Island.