The Alaid company has been operating in the Sakhalin region since 2014 and is considered one of the main enterprises in the city of Severo-Kurilsk

Tsunami Devastates Fish Processing Plant in the Kuril Islands

RUSSIAN FEDERATION
Tuesday, August 05, 2025, 00:10 (GMT + 9)

The most powerful earthquake in 70 years swept 120 tons of salmon and 1 ton of scallops from the "Alaid" company's warehouse, leaving the factory inoperable.

A powerful tsunami triggered by the largest earthquake in the Kuril Islands in 70 years has caused catastrophic damage to the "Alaid" fish processing plant in Severo-Kurilsk. The disaster, which has left the factory almost completely flooded, resulted in the loss of 120 tons of salmon and 1 ton of scallops that were swept into the ocean.

On the left, the plant looks like it was before the tsunami, and on the right, its current state. Photo: OOO «Алаид»

The company's general director, Anton Kovalev, confirmed to RBC that the plant has suspended all its operations. "The water ruptured the refrigeration chambers, the products stored there—120 tons of salmon and 1 ton of scallops—were carried away into the ocean," Kovalev detailed. The tsunami wave, which reached a height of 2.5 meters, completely destroyed the seine sewing workshop, damaged the factory's foundation, and ruined the carpentry shops and the fuel storage building.

On the left, the Baader processing lines are shown before the tsunami, and on the right, their current state. Photo: OOO «Алаид»

Additionally, all heavy equipment, including vehicles and cranes, was submerged, and much of the machinery is beyond repair. The electrical equipment in all fishing industry facilities became unusable, and the conveyor belts for the red fish processing line were completely destroyed, while those for white fish suffered partial damage. Staff are currently engaged in cleanup efforts

Photo: ООО «Алаид»

The "Alaid" company has been operating in the Sakhalin region since 2014 and is considered one of the main enterprises in the city of Severo-Kurilsk. According to SPARK data, at the end of 2024, the company employed 236 people and was equipped with BAADER and Oestergaard technology, which allowed it to produce high-quality products before the incident.

Kovalev noted that, given the plant's location in such a complex climatic and geophysical zone, the company is counting on state support. "We hope for attention to the situation from regional authorities and the Russian government," he stated.

Photo: ООО «Алаид»

The administration of the Severo-Kurilsky District has indicated that a full assessment of the damage is underway and that, once completed, a timeframe for restoring operations can be accurately determined.

The earthquake, which occurred on the night of July 30, had an estimated magnitude of 8.7 and is considered the most powerful in the region since 1952. This led to a state of emergency being declared in Kamchatka and the North Kuril region, where a tsunami warning was also issued.

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