Authorities continue monitoring coastal areas

TAWAU: A tsunami advisory issued following a 7.9-magnitude earthquake in Mindanao, southern Philippines, was lifted at noon on Monday after authorities reported no tsunami incidents along Sabah’s east coast.

Residents here experienced several hours of concern after a tsunami warning siren was sounded at Masjid Al Khautar at about 8.45am.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) had earlier issued a tsunami advisory for coastal areas in Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu between 10.30am and noon.

Monitoring by Daily Express found security personnel conducting patrols near coastal areas while traffic police managed vehicle flow at major junctions in Tawau.

Several key premises, including Tawau Tanjung Market, were closed, while roads leading out of the town became congested as residents moved away from coastal areas and parents collected their children from schools.

District police chief ACP Jasmin Hussin said police activated monitoring operations from 8am, involving six officers and 25 personnel in identified risk areas, including coastal locations in Tawau and Pulau Sebatik.

He said no tsunami incidents had been reported as of 12.30pm and advised the public to avoid coastal areas temporarily, while urging small-scale fishermen to postpone fishing activities until authorities confirmed conditions were safe.

In LAHAD DATU, District Fire and Rescue Station chief Sumsoa Rashid said monitoring and inspection operations were carried out in several identified locations, including Tungku, while residents were urged to remain calm, follow official instructions and obtain information only from authorised sources.