A lot were doomed by the speed (500mph/800kph) and sheer size of the waves, which they couldn’t have escaped even if they had tried. But those in the escapable areas died needlessly.
Tsunamis move at those speeds you mentioned only at open sea. The closer to land they come, the slower they get, as all that kinetic energy is used to build up height.
But even when they reach shore, they’re still much too fast to escape from on foot, as we have seen on all those videos.
A lot were doomed by the speed (500mph/800kph) and sheer size of the waves, which they couldn’t have escaped even if they had tried. But those in the escapable areas died needlessly.
Tsunamis move at those speeds you mentioned only at open sea. The closer to land they come, the slower they get, as all that kinetic energy is used to build up height.
But even when they reach shore, they’re still much too fast to escape from on foot, as we have seen on all those videos.