Sabah residents told to avoid shoreline after Mindanao quake triggers tsunami warning

Authorities have issued an early tsunami warning for Sabah's east coast, urging residents to avoid shoreline areas following a powerful earthquake off Mindanao in the Philippines. The magnitude 7.9 quake, occurring at a depth of 50km, triggered the warning, with tremors felt across several Malaysian areas.

Malaysian Natural Resources and Environmental Sustainability Minister Arthur Joseph Kurup advised the public to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information. The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) predicts tsunami waves of up to 0.4 meters could reach coastal areas in Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, and Lahad Datu between 10:30 a.m. and noon. Tsunami advisory sirens have been activated in these four districts.

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Based on an analysis by the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia), tsunami waves of up to 0.4m are expected to reach coastal areas in Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu between 10.30am and noon.

The Malaysian embassy in Manila is closely monitoring the situation and coordinating with local authorities to ascertain the safety of Malaysian nationals in the Philippines. While there have been no immediate reports of Malaysians affected, the embassy advises those in or traveling to coastal areas in the Philippines to move to higher ground and follow evacuation orders. Malaysians are also urged to register and update their contact details via the e-Konsular portal for timely assistance.

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These are the early moments following the earthquake. The Embassy of Malaysia in Manila is actively coordinating with the relevant local authorities to ascertain the safety and well-being of the Malaysian community in the affected areas.