Cruise Passengers Stranded in Hawaii Amid Tsunami Warning

On Tuesday, July 29, a tsunami warning was issued from the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia to the U.S. West Coast, including Alaska and Hawaii, and extended to Japan and parts of French Polynesia. The tsunami threat was triggered by a 8.8 magnitude earthquake that struck the east coast of Russia.

Hawaii was one of the bigger areas that the tsunami was expected to impact, with waves anticipated to reach nearly 10 feet. While waves only ended up coming in at 5.7 feet, residents were still urged to stay away from coastal areas.

But people on Norwegian Cruise Line's Pride of America had no choice but to return to the ship. Some of whom were too late, as the ship pulled away from the port two hours earlier than planned.

Passengers React

As tsunami warnings swept through Hawaii, the cruise ship docked in Hilo departed early to reach deeper, safer waters, leaving many tourists stranded onshore. Sirens were blaring, and passengers who had disembarked were running back to catch their ship.