UMMC dentistry building still safe following tremors from 6.1-mag earthquake

KUALA LUMPUR – Despite multiple cracks in the walls of Universiti Malaya Medical Centre (UMMC) Faculty of Dentistry building following the earthquake in Sumatera, Indonesia this morning, the building has been confirmed as safe for occupation.

A source from Universiti Malaya who requested anonymity told The Vibes that the hospital’s management had vacated the staff earlier today after the aftershock tremors had hit various parts of the country.

“It’s business as usual tomorrow. Earlier, we were told to vacate our staff. Our team of engineers went to check the building.

“At 4pm today, they reported that it is structurally sound and that only various parts of the walls were affected with the cracks,” said the source.

Other medical practitioners from UMMC’s private wing, Universiti Malaya Specialist Centre also confirmed that they felt the building shake earlier.

A head of department said that she felt the tremor as she was working in her office.

“The building was shaking. I wondered what happened. But our buildings are not affected,” said the head of department who also spoke on the condition of anonymity.

Earlier today, 34 building emergency calls were received by the Fire and Rescue Department in the Klang Valley after tremors were felt following the strong earthquake in Indonesia’s Sumatera Island.

Among the buildings involved were Menara Glomac, Wisma BSN, Menara AmBank and Pantai Indah Apartment and others in Taman Miharja and Jalan Pantai Dalam here, as well as those in Shah Alam, Cyberjaya, Sepang, Kapar, Banting, Puchong, Kajang, Subang Jaya, and Petaling Jaya in Selangor.

The Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) tweeted that a 6.1-magnitude earthquake had occurred in northern Sumatera at 9.39am and those tremors were felt in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, especially in Perak, Selangor, Negri Sembilan, Melaka and Johor.

Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department spokesman said fire stations around the city had been asked to run inspections at the call locations to monitor and ensure that the buildings are safe and not affected by the tremors.

So far, no damage or casualties were reported, he said. – The Vibes, February 25, 2022