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Strong Earthquake Hits Northern Sumatra, Tremors Felt In Malaysia

Kuala lumpur: A 6.4 magnitude earthquake hit northern Sumatra, Indonesia, at 6.54 pm today, the Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) said. MetMalaysia reported that the earthquake was centred at coordinates 2.9 degrees north and 98.8 degrees east, at a depth of 154 kilometres, 37 km southwest of Pematangsiantar.

According to BERNAMA News Agency, tremors were felt along parts of the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia, but there was no tsunami threat to the country. Meanwhile, in Penang, Penang Fire and Rescue Department director Mohamad Shoki Hamzah stated that the department received nine emergency calls regarding the tremors at around 6.55 pm. These calls involved four areas in two districts on the island, as well as several areas in Seberang Perai.

"Our personnel have gone to the locations and are conducting further inspections," Mohamad Shoki Hamzah told Bernama when contacted today. The tremors, which lasted for several minutes, were reportedly felt in areas including Sungai Baru, Bayan Baru, George Town, Jelutong, Tanjung Bungah, Batu Ferringhi, and Air Itam on the island, as well as Perai, Bagan, Teluk Air Tawar, Jalan Baru, Bukit Mertajam, Kepala Batas, and Bertam in Seberang Perai.

A Bagan resident, Syahirah Mokhtar, 45, expressed that she was initially startled when she felt the tremors at her home before contacting her child in Pantai Robina, Bagan, who also experienced the same phenomenon. She noted that the tremors lasted about two to three minutes, with water in a cup placed on the table visibly moving. Upon going downstairs, she found that many residents of the apartment had also evacuated.

Syahirah mentioned, "Many residents initially did not realise that the tremors were caused by an earthquake because they thought they were feeling dizzy. But some noticed that the hanging lights and ceiling fans in their homes were swaying, so we all decided to go downstairs because we were worried that something might happen."

Social media posts indicated that tremors could also be felt in Perak, including areas around Kuala Kangsar, Alor Pongsu, Bagan Serai, Teluk Intan, Ulu Kinta, Meru, and Ipoh. A social media user posted, "Even Ulu Kinta felt the shaking.," while another reported experiencing similar tremors in Kuala Kangsar.

Meanwhile, Perak Fire and Rescue Department Operations Division assistant director Sabarodzi Nor Ahmad informed Bernama when contacted that the department had yet to receive any emergency calls related to the incident.

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