Authorities patrol coastal areas following earthquake; no emergencies reported yet

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By Olivia Miwil
olivia@nst.com.my

KOTA KINABALU: There have yet to be any distress calls received by the authorities following a reported 6.8-magnitude earthquake this morning.

During the 12.57am incident, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said the 6.8-magnitude earthquake was detected at coordinates 7.0 degrees north latitude and 116.4 degrees east longitude.

The epicentre was located in the sea about 49 kilometres west of Kudat.

Tremors were felt in several parts of the state and beyond.

The Sabah Fire and Rescue Department deployed personnel to Tanjung Lipat Bay, Lok Kawi Beach and Taman Teluk Villa in Putatan, as well as Kota Belud and Kudat.

In a statement, the department said it had not received any distress calls related to the incident.

“As of now, no emergency calls related to the earthquake have been received,” the department said.

MetMalaysia said there is no tsunami threat arising from the earthquake and that it will continue monitoring the situation.

The magnitude of today’s quake is stronger than the 2015 incident, which measured 6.0 on the Richter scale and had its epicentre at Mount Kinabalu.