KUALA LUMPUR: The 6.8 magnitude earthquake that struck off the coast of Sabah early yesterday morning is the strongest to hit the country in recent memory.
Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) director-general Dr Mohd Hisham Mohd Anip said that based on the department’s records, the previous strongest earthquake in Malaysia occurred on June 5, 2015, in Ranau, Sabah.
The 6.0-magnitude quake in Ranau claimed 18 lives and is still regarded as one of the most notable earthquakes in the country’s history.
Commenting on yesterday’s quake, Mohd Hisham explained that it occurred off Sabah’s coast because the state lies near the Pacific Ring of Fire, a seismically active zone formed by the movement of Earth’s tectonic plates.
“We are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to do so. No aftershocks have been recorded so far.
“Because the earthquake’s epicentre lies deep beneath the Earth’s surface, at a depth of 678km, only mild tremors were felt by the public,” he said, Bernama reported.
In a statement earlier, MetMalaysia reported that a powerful 6.8-magnitude earthquake struck off the coast of Sabah at 12.57am, but posed no tsunami threat.
The epicentre was located about 49km west of Kudat, Sabah, and tremors were felt across parts of Sabah, Sarawak and Peninsular Malaysia.
Meanwhile, the Operations Control Centre of the Fire and Rescue Department will carry out continuous field monitoring as a precaution following the earthquake that struck off the coast of Sabah, says Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Dr Ahmad Zahid Hamidi.
Ahmad Zahid, who is also chairman of the National Disaster Management Committee, said patrols were also being conducted in coastal areas near the Sabah International Convention Centre, as well as inspections in several districts, including Putatan, Kudat and surrounding areas, to ensure the situation remains safe and under control.
He advised residents in nearby areas to stay alert, follow instructions from the authorities, remain calm and avoid panic.
