Massive 7.1 earthquake rocks coast, tremors spark panic in vacationer hotspots
The whopper earthquake hit off the coast of the Malaysian state Sabah, a popular tourist destination known for its jungles, wildlife and stunning scenery, tremors were felt
A humungous earthquake has hit off(Image: Getty Images)
A massive magnitude earthquake has rocked a popular tourist hotspot, sending shockwaves across the region and sparking panic among locals and visitors alike. The powerful tremor, which struck just off the coast, was felt across a wide area, with reports of buildings shaking and residents rushing into the streets.
The humungous earthquake hit off the the coast of Malaysia, the United States Geological Survey (USGS) confirms. A 7.1 magnitude earthquake – almost twice the strength of the earthquake that rattled houses in the Italian city of Forli in January – was detected off the coast of the Malaysian state of Sabah, located in the northern tip of Borneo, at 4.57pm (11.57pm local time).
The Euro-Mediterranean Seismological Centre, an independent scientific organisation tweeted:“#Earthquake (#gempa bumi) confirmed by seismic data. Preliminary info: M7.1 || 62 km W of #Kudat (#Malaysia) || 5 min ago (local time 23:57:46).”
The earthquake was later confirmed by the USGS to have occurred 55kms north west of Kota Belud, a town not far from Kudat, at a depth of 619.8 kilometres in the South China Sea. According to local media, tremors were felt across Sabah’s west coast and in parts of neighbouring state Sarawak.
With a population of around 3.76million, Sabah is one of Malaysia’s most populous states and second largest. It also lures in plenty of tourists, thanks to its dramatic natural beauty, abundance of wildlife, exceptional diving and coastal resorts.
It is unclear if the earthquake has resulted in any damages or injury. The earthquake follows another whooper, also in a popular tourist destination.
Panic was sparked after a mega 5.1 magnitude tremor was clocked in the southern Italian city of Reggio Calabria and across Sicily. Residents were sent in to a frenzy when the ground began to shake at 5.53am on January 10.
The earthquake’s epicentre was found to be 65 kilometres under the ocean off the Ionian coast, according to the National Institute of Geophysics and Volcanology. Fortunately, no injuries, fatalities or damage has been reported. Domenico Costarella, head of the Calabria Region’s Civil Protection Department, told Sky TG24 : “We have completed inspections in the area of the earthquake’s epicenter, which is the area overlooking the Ionian Sea where the earthquake struck.
“Fortunately, no damage has been reported.
“Of course, it was felt, there was fear, residents felt it clearly, there was a lot of interaction, including on social media, and several calls to the operations room, but fortunately no damage.”
Closer to home, in December 2025, Lancashire was struck by two earthquakes in a fortnight, sending tremors through local properties.
The British Geological Survey (BGS) confirmed that a 2.5-magnitude tremor hit near the coast of Silverdale during the early hours of December 19, and a 3.3 magnitude earthquake struck on December 4 across the South Lakes and Lancashire.
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