Sabah quake strongest to hit Malaysia in 11 years, tremors felt in Singapore
South China Morning Post
by The StarFebruary 24, 2026
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An earthquake measuring 6.8 magnitude struck off the coast of Sabah, Malaysia, early Monday morning, marking the strongest tremor to hit the country in over a decade. The epicenter was located near the Tubbataha Reefs Natural Park in the South China Sea, with tremors reported as far away as Singapore and eastern Indonesia. This event follows another significant earthquake in Sabah on June 5, 2015, which registered at 6.0 magnitude and claimed 18 lives, making it one of Malaysia’s most notable seismic events.
The Malaysian Meteorological Department confirmed that the latest quake was centered approximately 40 kilometers northeast of Tawau and 130 kilometers southwest of Semporna. While there were no immediate reports of casualties or significant damage due to the offshore location, the tremors underscored the region’s vulnerability to strong seismic activity. The area lies on the Pacific Ring of Fire, a zone prone to frequent earthquakes and volcanic eruptions.
This earthquake highlights the ongoing
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Originally published on South China Morning Post on 2/24/2026