No aftershock expected in Sabah following strong earthquake in Kalimantan

KUALA LUMPUR: No aftershocks are expected for now, following the magnitude 6.2 earthquake, which struck Kalimantan, Indonesia early this Monday morning, says the Malaysian Meteorological Department.

Director-general Datuk Che Gayah Ismail said normally, aftershocks would be triggered following a major earthquake, such as the one, which occurred at 2.47am.

"However, based on the latest update, we have not felt a second tremor. This could be because the earthquake epicentre is quite a distance away," she said when contacted by Bernama today.

The earthquake which occurred at 3.6 degrees north and 117.6 degrees east about 33km north of Tarakan and 96km southwest of Tawau were also felt in Tawau, Kunak, Semporna and Lahad Datu in Sabah this morning.

According to media reports, the Tawau Fire and Rescue Department quarters and other buildings, which experienced cracks, had to be vacated after stong tremors were felt.

Che Gayah said the earthquake occurred on the land surface and there was no tsunami threat.

"The current system that we have is able to detect earthquakes well. So, based on information received, Sabah is quite safe from aftershocks," she said. - Bernama