Prince Rupert Port evacuated after 7.7 earthquake struck offshore

PRINCE RUPERT's Ridley Island and Fairview container terminals were evacuated together with all townspeople on the waterfront of the port following 7.7 magnitude earthquake off British Columbia's Queen Charlotte Islands directly offshore.

Port spokesman Michael Gurney said they are no longer expecting significant tsunami at Prince Rupert, but as a precaution, they evacuated the container terminals as well as Atlin and Cow Bay areas, reported CFTK television of Terrace, British Columbia.

An emergency operation centre is established at Prince Rupert City Hall, which is away from the waterfront.

An eight-foot rise in sea level was recorded at Sandspit, according to Mr Gurney.

Structures swayed and people ran for cover as a 7.7 magnitude earthquake shook the central and north coast of the province. Cities as far east as Edmonton, Alberta and as far south as Vancouver said they felt the quake.

Reports say people in Sandspit, Haida Gwaii left their homes for higher ground and Prince Rupert city officials, Royal Canadian Mounted Police, members of the port authority, CBSA, and the fire department all met at city hall to plan for a possible tsunami.

The scare was short lived as the tsunami warning was downgraded to a tsunami advisory around 11pm, and the city's residents were told to go back to their homes.