A strong earthquake measuring 7.1 on the Richter scale struck off Malaysia’s Sabah state on Borneo island early Sunday, authorities confirmed.
According to the United States Geological Survey (USGS), the tremor occurred at 12:57am local time. The epicentre was located less than 100 kilometres northeast of Kota Kinabalu, the state capital.
Deep-focus quake
The quake originated at a depth of approximately 619.8 kilometres, classifying it as a deep-focus earthquake. Such quakes typically occur far beneath the Earth’s surface and are generally less likely to cause widespread surface damage compared to shallow tremors.
No immediate reports of damage
As of now, there have been no confirmed reports of casualties or significant structural damage. Local authorities in Sabah said they are closely monitoring the situation and assessing any potential impact.
Residents were advised to remain alert for possible aftershocks, although deep-focus earthquakes often generate limited aftershock activity.
Malaysia lies outside the Pacific “Ring of Fire” but can experience tremors due to seismic activity in neighbouring regions.
Further updates are expected as monitoring continues.