Malaysia issues tsunami warning for Sabah coast

Kuala Lumpur (ANTARA) - The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MET) has issued a warning regarding the potential for a tsunami along the coast of Sabah, Malaysia, following a magnitude 7.9 earthquake that occurred in Mindanao, Philippines, on Monday. “Tsunami waves are expected to reach coastal areas in Sabah, Malaysia, particularly in Tawau, Semporna, Kunak, and Lahad Datu, between 10:30 and 12:00 local time,” stated the Director General of MET Malaysia, Mohd Hisham bin Mohd Anip, in a statement in Kuala Lumpur on Monday. MET has urged members of the public in these coastal regions to stay away from the beach and follow instructions from local authorities. The earthquake in Mindanao, Philippines, was centred at coordinates 5.7 degrees North Latitude and 125.1 degrees East Longitude at a depth of 50 km. The epicentre was located 97 km south of Koronadal City, Philippines, and 747 km east of Semporna, Sabah.