[UPDATED] 6.2-magnitude quake detected in West Sumatra shakes Malaysia

KUALA LUMPUR – Malaysians were jolted this morning by sudden tremors at around 9.40am with many evacuating high-rise buildings.

This is believed to be due to a 6.2-magnitude quake that has just been detected in the West Pasaman Regency of West Sumatra, Indonesia.

According to Indonesia’s Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysical Agency, the quake does not pose a tsunami threat but people are advised to watch out for possible aftershocks.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department reported that tremors were felt in the west coast of the peninsula, especially the states of Selangor, Perak, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor. 

GB kuat M 6.1 di Utara Sumatra, Indonesia pd 9:39 pg, 25 Feb 2022. Pusat gempa bumi terletak 0.2° U & 100.0° T dgn kdlman 10 km. 76km BL dr Payakumbuh,Indonesia. Tiada ancmn tsunami. Gegaran dirasai di bhgn Barat Smnjg terutama di S'gor, Perak, NSembilan, Melaka & Johor. METMsia pic.twitter.com/4lgKSc2V7G

— Jabatan Meteorologi Malaysia (@metmalaysia) February 25, 2022

The department’s Selangor operations centre said it had received six phone calls regarding tremors felt in buildings.

“Our current overall reports do not involve any reported injuries. Firemen will only be monitoring the locations of the incident.” 

Taking to social media to see if anyone else had felt the slight quake, several Twitter users posted photos of their buildings being cleared out. 

Twitter user @HannZiq shared on the platform a video of the situation at the Kajang Municipal Council this morning as staff members were told to leave the building. 

Keadaan di MPKj. Gegaran sebentar tadi dalam pukul 9.40 td. Semua staf diminta keluar dari bangunan. pic.twitter.com/dDXdynjak2

— Farhanisme (@HannZiq) February 25, 2022

Another user by the name of @prakashchris uploaded a video recorded in Putrajaya where people can be seen vacating buildings in an unhurried manner. 

Earthquake felt at Putrajaya #earthquake #tremor #putrajaya pic.twitter.com/wlCGilYeD8

— X (@prakashchris) February 25, 2022

A local account promoting building materials, @iConstruct_my took the opportunity to educate the public on safety measures during earthquakes, regardless of their severity. 

“In any case, if there is an earthquake, no matter how small or big, take precautionary steps by getting out of the building you are in and remaining in an open area instead.”

Meanwhile, AFP reported that the quake hit Indonesia’s Sumatra island’s north at a depth of 12km, about 70km from the town of Bukittingi in West Sumatra province, according to the United States Geological Survey.

No tsunami warning was issued and there was no immediate report of casualties or damage, but the quake was felt in the neighbouring provinces of Riau and North Sumatra.

Indonesia sits on the Pacific “Ring of Fire”, causing it to experience frequent earthquakes.

In 2004, a 9.1-magnitude quake struck the coast of Sumatra and triggered a tsunami that killed 220,000 throughout the region, including about 170,000 in Indonesia. – The Vibes, February 25, 2022 

Apa-apa pun, kalau ada gempa bumi tak kisah kecik atau besar, ambil langkah selamat dengan keluar dari bangunan tempat korang berada dan duduk di kawasan yang lapang.

Stay safe people! ❤️ #earthquake #gempabumi pic.twitter.com/Q4LmQNXnh0

— iConstruct (@iConstruct_my) February 25, 2022