WELLINGTON, July 30 (Xinhua) -- An emergency mobile alert was issued to New Zealanders across the country on Wednesday afternoon following a powerful Russia earthquake.
"Strong and unusual currents and unpredictable surges at the shore are expected following a magnitude 8.8 earthquake near Kamchatka, Russia," the emergency mobile alert said.
"People on boats, live-aboards and at marinas should leave their boats or vessels and move onto shore. Do not return to boats unless instructed by officials," the alert read.
While people onshore are not advised to evacuate, New Zealanders are alerted to stay away from the water, including beaches, shore areas, harbors, rivers, marinas and estuaries.
The alert also warned people against going out for sightseeing.
The warning was for all coastal areas of New Zealand, including the North Island, South Island, Stewart Island and the Chatham Islands.
The tsunami surges are expected to reach New Zealand about midnight, national broadcaster Radio New Zealand reported. ■