A weak 3.4-magnitude earthquake struck Keningau, Sabah, with 436 tremor reports; no structural damage or injuries found, says Arthur Kurup.
KOTA KINABALU: The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), through the National Weather and Earthquake Operations Centre (POCGN), detected a weak 3.4-magnitude earthquake at a depth of 10 kilometres (km) in Keningau at 9.31 am today.
Minister of Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainablility Datuk Seri Arthur Joseph Kurup said that based on updated seismological analysis, the earthquake’s epicentre was located at coordinates 5.3 degrees North and 116.1 degrees East, about 10km west of Keningau.
He said tremors from the earthquake were also felt by residents in the surrounding areas.
“As for 11.30 am, MetMalaysia received a total of 436 reports of tremors felt by members of the public nearby,” he said in a statement.
He said seismic monitoring and analysis records showed that Keningau had recorded a series of weak earthquakes previously, including in 2019, 2023 and on Oct 6, 2024.
“Today’s incident is part of the release of local tectonic energy in the region,” he said.
Arthur said MetMalauysia would continue to closely monitor any aftershock activity in the area and provide the latest updates from time to time.
He also advised the public not to worry or panic because the earthquake was of a weak magnitude and did not pose a tsunami threat.
Meanwhile, the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) of Sabah conducted patrols and monitoring around Keningau district following the earthquake.
The Sabah JBPM said in a statement that seven personnel from the Keningau Fire and Rescue Station conducted inspections on the Keningau G-MART and Apollo Furniture buildings, the Keningau Health Office and the Keningau District Police Headquarters.
The inspections found no structural damage to the buildings, while no incidents involving collapses, fires or injuries were reported.
The personnel also issued safety advice to residents to always be alert to possible aftershocks and to inform the authorities if there was any damage or emergency.
The patrol operation, which began at 9.40 am, concluded at 11.05 am after the situation at the locations was found to be safe and under control.
