Damage of Saturday morning aftershocks in Sabah being assessed

KOTA KINABALU: The fire and rescue department is assessing the damage done by the aftermath of two aftershocks early Saturday that were described as ‘moderate and weak’ earthquakes.

“We received 14 calls after the 5.1 magnitude earthquake around Ranau,” said Mohd Affendy K Ramin, the fire department public relation officer.

He said his department team were investigating to determine if there were any major landslips and if anyone was injured.

According to the Malaysian Meteorological Department, a moderate 5.1 magnitude earthquake occurred at 2.29am about 25km southeast of Kota Belud at the depth of 10km following a weak earthquake four minutes earlier 14km northwest of Ranau.

The department said the tremours were felt by people living in Ranau, Kudat, Beluran, Kota Marudu, Kota Belud, Kinabatangan, and Kota Kinabalu.

Many people were jolted out of their sleep from the aftershocks with some of them saying the tremors were like the June 5 magnitude 6.1 earthquake that struck Mount Kinabalu.

“I was woken up by the shaking and ran outside to find out if the house was coming down,” said Azmi Francis, 19, from Jalan Penampang.

“Oh my God… not again?” said Marcella Mijoh of Penampang.

A Kundasang resident, Rayner JS said that he was still traumatised by the June 5 earthquake and has not been sleeping properly for a week.

“Only prayers can help keep us calm now,” he said.

Another villager in Kota Marudu said that he feared the latest aftershock could be an indicator that another strong earthquake may be on its way.

Since the June 5 earthquake that killed 18 people, more than 60 aftershocks have been recorded with Saturday morning’s being the strongest.