Moscow: A powerful earthquake of magnitude 7.1 struck near the east coast of Russia’s Kamchatka region on Saturday, according to the German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ).

The quake occurred at a shallow depth of about 10 kilometers, increasing the potential for strong surface shaking.

Authorities confirmed that no casualties or major damage have been reported so far, though assessments in remote areas are still underway. There were initial concerns of a possible tsunami risk, but no confirmed alerts or waves have been reported.

The Kamchatka Peninsula, part of the seismically active Pacific Ring of Fire, is prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic activity. This latest tremor follows a much larger 8.8 magnitude earthquake in the region earlier this year, which had triggered widespread tsunami warnings.

Experts caution that aftershocks may follow, though the scale and impact remain uncertain. Local authorities are monitoring the situation closely and emergency services are on standby.

The region has not reported significant disruptions to infrastructure or power networks, but officials urged residents in coastal and vulnerable areas to remain alert until further updates are issued.