Ranau folk on edge after three more quakes

RANAU: Communities in the district of Ranau were once again reduced to jitters when three earthquakes occurred yesterday.

The first quake measuring 3.5 on the Richter scale occurred at 10.54am, damaging the ceiling of the library at the Sekolah Menengah Kebangsaan Agama Mohamad Ali near here. Its epicentre was 22km west of Ranau town.

The second earthquake measured 4.3, at 5.33pm, about 10km northwest of the town while the third, measuring 2.6, took place at 6.26pm, 11km west of the town.

Tremors from the second earthquake were also felt in Kota Kinabalu, Kota Belud and Kundasang, the Meteorological Department said in a statement.

On June 5, a 5.9-magnitude earthquake rocked the Ranau area, claiming 18 lives.

Narrating the fearful moments during yesterday’s quakes, Gordon Juanis, 24, a hotel worker in Ranau town said he was shocked and ran out of the hotel, fearing its imminent collapse.

“I was sitting at the hotel counter when it shook. The quake was strong as compared to the one in the morning. I felt the shaking for four to five seconds,” he told Bernama at the hotel yesterday evening.

Meanwhile, a restaurant entrepreneur in Poring, Mohammad Abdullah, 54, said he was cooking in the kitchen during the quake.

“During the incident, my wife and I quickly exited the restaurant. At the same time, I saw neighbours running out of their homes amidst shouts.

“I felt the shock was very strong and frightening...but I am thankful my restaurant was not damaged,” he said when contacted.

During the incident, a Bernama inspection of Ranau town found that people had fled from shops, restaurants and other premises - only to return after several minutes to resume their routine activities.

Meanwhile, Ranau Fire and Rescue Department chief, Jimmy Lagon said no emergency call had been received, thus far.