KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — Malaysian authorities issued a tsunami advisory for parts of Sabah’s east coast today after a powerful earthquake struck near Mindanao in the southern Philippines, with tremors felt across parts of the state.

Malaysia’s Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said the earthquake occurred at 7.37am with a magnitude of 7.9 and a depth of 50km.

The epicentre was located at coordinates 5.7° North and 125.1° East, about 97km south of Koronadal City in the Philippines and approximately 747km east of Semporna, Sabah.

Tremors were reported in Tawau, Semporna and surrounding areas shortly after the quake.

MetMalaysia warned that tsunami waves could affect coastal areas in Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu between 10.30am and noon.

Residents in the affected areas were advised to stay away from beaches and follow instructions issued by local authorities.

The earthquake prompted tsunami warnings in the Philippines and neighbouring Indonesia, while the US Tsunami Warning System also issued a tsunami threat notification.

International monitoring agencies reported varying preliminary measurements of the earthquake. 

The German Research Centre for Geosciences (GFZ) initially estimated the quake at magnitude 7.3 before revising it upwards to 8.2, while other agencies reported a magnitude of 7.8. GFZ said the earthquake occurred at a depth of 10km.

Philippine authorities said aftershocks were still being felt and authorities were assessing reports of damage and casualties.

Mindanao and the wider Philippine archipelago sit along the Pacific Ring of Fire, one of the world’s most seismically active zones, where earthquakes and volcanic eruptions occur frequently.

MetMalaysia said it was continuing to monitor developments and would issue further updates as more information became available.