Penang Situation Under Control After Earthquake Tremors, No Injuries Reported

GEORGE TOWN, Aug 16 (Bernama) -- The situation in Penang remains under control, with no injuries reported as of early today, following tremors felt across the state after an earthquake struck North Sumatra, Indonesia, yesterday.

Penang Chief Minister Chow Kon Yeow said the state government received reports from the Operations Centre of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) regarding the tremors.

“The Operations Centre received calls from members of the public between 7.23 pm and 7.27 pm (yesterday) reporting tremors at nine locations across all five districts in Penang.

“Following this, JBPM operational teams were deployed to the affected locations to conduct monitoring, involving 36 officers and personnel as well as nine fire engines,” he said in a statement.

Chow said the state government would remain in contact with JBPM and other relevant rescue agencies to monitor the situation and receive further updates.

A magnitude 6.4 earthquake struck the North Sumatra region of Indonesia on Saturday evening, hours after a magnitude 7.7 earthquake hit Flores Island in East Nusa Tenggara, killing at least 38 people.

Tremors lasting several minutes were subsequently felt in several areas of Penang and Perak.

-- BERNAMA