TNI AL Evacuate Personnel & Combat Fleet from Indonesian Naval Base After Tsunami Warning Issued Post Russian Earthquake

TIMEMOMENTS.COM- A powerful earthquake was reported by Interfax on July 30, 2025, occurring in the Pacific Ocean near the Kamchatka Peninsula of Russia on Wednesday at 11:24 local time (02:24 Moscow time) with an epicenter 161 km east of Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky at a depth of 32 km.

The earthquake was felt in Petropavlovsk-Kamchatsky, Russia, with a magnitude of up to 8 on the Richter scale, and in Severo-Kurilsk (Paramushir Island, Northern Kuril Islands) – up to 6 on the Richter scale.

A tsunami warning has been issued for the coast of Avacha Bay and the Northern Kuril Islands.

Sergei Lebedev, the Emergency Situations Minister of the Kamchatka Region, reported that tsunami waves measuring 3-4 meters were recorded in the Yelizovsky District of Kamchatka, near the Vodopadnaya weather station.

"Colleagues from the UGMS (Hydrometeorological Service Agency - IF) reported that visually at the UGMS observation point in Vodopadny, tsunami waves of approximately three to four meters in height were observed.

Therefore, when the tsunami alarm is issued, you must stay away from all bodies of water," he said in a video posted on his social media page on VKontakte.

Coastal areas in Indonesia are also at risk of being affected by the Russian earthquake, and there is even a potential for a tsunami.

Several locations identified by the Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics Agency (BMKG) as potentially affected include Papua, North Maluku, Gorontalo, and parts of North Sulawesi.

To anticipate a tsunami, the Indonesian Navy (TNI AL) reportedly evacuated personnel and warships from several TNI AL bases (lanal) on July 30, 2025, to prepare for a tsunami caused by the earthquake in Russia.

Vice Admiral TNI Denih Hendrata, who serves as Commander of the Indonesian Fleet Command (Pangkoarmada), stated that one of the bases that has already evacuated personnel and equipment is the Gorontalo Naval Base, commanded by Lieutenant Colonel (P) Hanny Chandra.

Denih explained that before evacuating personnel, the naval base first evacuated residents from coastal areas.

TNI AL Evacuate Personnel & Combat Fleet from Indonesian Naval Base After Tsunami Warning Issued Post Russian Earthquake

“Officers conveyed information regarding early tsunami warnings to all coastal residents to remain vigilant and advised fishermen not to go out to sea until the situation is safe,” said Denih.

After that, the naval base evacuated all personnel and secured several main weapon systems (alutsista).

“Officers informed the Naval Base and Naval Outposts under the Gorontalo Naval Base to secure personnel and materials,” said Denih.

“Soldiers also secured military equipment such as naval ships (KAL), CB, Rigid Buoyancy Boats (RBB), and Sea Rider vessels,” explained Denih.

After completing the evacuation of military equipment and personnel, the Indonesian Navy established evacuation posts in several locations for coastal residents.

“The Gorontalo Naval Base has set up emergency response posts at three locations: the Kwandang Naval Base Task Force Headquarters, the Gorontalo Naval Base Headquarters, and the Kwandang Naval Post,” said Denih.

He explained that the evacuees were housed in two buildings, namely the Asangi and Payungga buildings located at the naval base.

There are 80 residents from Leato Selatan Village who have taken shelter there. In addition to the evacuation site, the Indonesian Navy also provided one ambulance and two rubber boats at the evacuation location.

***