KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — Residents along Sabah’s east coast were urged to stay away from beaches and comply with any evacuation orders today after a powerful earthquake near Mindanao triggered tsunami warnings across several coastal districts, with authorities forecasting waves of up to 0.4 metres.
Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said tsunami warning sirens had been activated in Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu as a precaution following the magnitude 7.9 earthquake that struck southern Philippines at 7.37am.
“I would like to strongly emphasise to the public, especially residents in coastal areas around Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu, to remain calm and not panic,” he said in a statement today.
Kurup said the government, through the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) and other relevant agencies, was closely monitoring the situation.
He added that residents should “immediately comply with any evacuation or safety instructions issued by local authorities” and avoid coastal areas during the warning period.
MetMalaysia said the earthquake struck at a depth of 50km, with its epicentre located about 97km south of Koronadal City in the Philippines.
Tremors were reported in parts of Tawau and Semporna.
