TAWAU, January 20 – Tremors were felt here, in Lahad Datu and Semporna early today following an earthquake in the Sulu Archipelago in the Philippines, according to the Malaysian Meteorological Department.
The earthquake, measuring 5.8 on the Richter scale, struck at 1.19 am, it reported on its website.
The epicentre of the quake was 148km northeast of Semporna, it said.
Tawau Fire and Rescue chief Mohd Razali Awang Ahmad said the station received many calls from the people who enquired about the tremors.
“Three fire trucks were sent out on patrol at 1.40 am but there were no reports of damage to houses or buildings,” he said.
Badriansyah Hamdi, 52, a resident of the Sri Titingan housing estate, said he felt the tremors.
“I panicked for a moment. I did not run out of the house because they lasted only a few seconds. This is the second time that I have felt such tremors,” he told Bernama.
Howard Martin, 43, of Taman Perwira Batu 8, said he was informed of the tremors by a neighbour.
He himself did not feel them, he added.
– BERNAMA
