LAHAD DATU, Aug 16 — Residents across several districts on the East Coast of Sabah felt tremors early this morning following a strong 6.1-magnitude earthquake that struck the Minahassa Peninsula in Sulawesi, Indonesia.
According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department (METMalaysia), the earthquake occurred at 12:25 am at a depth of 10 kilometres. Its epicentre was located at coordinates 0.1 degrees South and 120.6 degrees East, approximately 116 kilometres northeast of Palu, Indonesia. METMalaysia confirmed that an official assessment established the earthquake posed no tsunami threat to Malaysia.
The tremors were felt by residents across the Lahad Datu, Tawau, Kunak, and Semporna districts, leaving many shaken during the early morning hours.
In Lahad Datu, 33-year-old civil servant Nurul Istiqfarinah Hanafi described feeling unsteady while heading to her vehicle after completing her shift.
“I had just finished work and on the way to my car I felt wobbly for a moment, I thought the road was uneven but it wasn’t,” she recounted.
In Tawau, Kampung Titingan resident Mohd Azlan Ibrahim, 42, noticed the shaking while resting as the structural frame and windows of his home vibrated.
“The tremors happened very quickly, around five seconds, and I immediately woke my family members because I was worried that something bad would happen,” he said.
Meanwhile, in Taman Sri Pangkalan, Kunak, 38-year-old Siti Rahmah Kassem observed her living room’s hanging lamp swaying right before feeling the floor move beneath her feet.
“I immediately woke my husband and children to leave the house with the neighbours. Within 30 minutes everyone was safely back in the house, there was no damage to our house,” she shared.
The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Operations Centre confirmed that no emergency reports of structural or infrastructure damage have been received following the incident.
Lahad Datu Fire and Rescue Station Chief Sumsoa Rashid urged members of the public to remain vigilant and composed.
“All residents are asked to remain calm and obey the authorities’ instructions. Always obey safety instructions,” Sumsoa advised.
–NMT
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