Residents across several parts of Sabah’s east coast were jolted by tremors early this morning after a 6.1-magnitude earthquake struck the Minahassa Peninsula, Sulawesi, Indonesia.
The tremor was felt in several districts, including Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kunak and Semporna, leaving some residents startled as buildings and household items shook briefly.
Civil servant Nurul Istiqfarinah Hanafi, 33, said she felt unsteady while walking towards her car after finishing work.
“I had just finished work and was walking to my car when I suddenly felt wobbly. At first, I thought the road was uneven, but it wasn’t,” she told Bernama.
In Tawau, Kampung Titingan resident Mohd Azlan Ibrahim, 42, said he noticed the tremor when the windows and structure of his house suddenly began shaking while he was resting.
He said the movement lasted for around five seconds and prompted him to wake his family members as he feared the situation could worsen.
Meanwhile, Kunak resident Siti Rahmah Kassem, 38, said she first noticed her living room lamp swinging before feeling movement beneath her feet.
She immediately woke her husband and children and joined neighbours outside the house as a precaution. The family returned home around 30 minutes later after confirming there was no damage.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Centre said it had not received any reports of damage to buildings or infrastructure linked to the tremor so far.
Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Station chief Sumsoa Rashid said residents in Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kunak and Semporna were among those who reportedly felt the earthquake.
He urged residents to remain calm and follow safety instructions issued by the authorities should further tremors occur.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia), the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10 kilometres, with its epicentre located at coordinates 0.1 degrees South and 120.6 degrees East, approximately 116 kilometres northeast of Palu, Indonesia.
METMalaysia also confirmed that its assessment found no tsunami threat to Malaysia arising from the earthquake.
