MetMalaysia lifts tsunami advisory for Sabah’s east coast after powerful Mindanao earthquake, says no further updates expected

KUALA LUMPUR, June 8 — MetMalaysia today lifted the tsunami advisory issued following a powerful earthquake off the southern Philippines, ending several hours of monitoring after authorities determined there was no continuing threat to Malaysia.

In a statement issued at noon, the Meteorological Department said the advisory, which was issued at 8.36am, had been terminated.

“The tsunami advisory issued at 8.36am on June 8, 2026, was terminated at 12.00pm on June 8, 2026,” it said.

MetMalaysia also said the notice would be its final update on the incident unless there were further developments.

“This is the last information released by MetMalaysia in relation to the said earthquake unless there are further updates or additional information,” it added.

The advisory was issued after a powerful earthquake struck near the southern Philippine island of Mindanao early this morning, prompting tsunami warnings and advisories across parts of South-east Asia and the Pacific.

Earlier, MetMalaysia said tremors from the earthquake were felt in parts of Sabah, including Tawau and Semporna, while authorities closely monitored the situation.

It had warned that tsunami waves could affect coastal areas in Tawau, Semporna, Kunak and Lahad Datu between 10.30am and noon.

International agencies initially reported varying estimates of the earthquake’s strength, ranging from magnitude 7.8 to 8.2, while MetMalaysia recorded it at magnitude 7.9. The department said the quake occurred at a depth of 50km, with its epicentre located about 97km south of Koronadal City in the Philippines.

The earthquake triggered tsunami warnings in the Philippines and neighbouring Indonesia, while the US Tsunami Warning System also issued alerts for areas that could be affected.

Authorities later lifted the warnings after assessments indicated the tsunami threat had subsided.

The termination of the advisory means there is no longer a tsunami threat to Malaysia linked to the earthquake, although seismic activity in the region continues to be monitored as part of routine surveillance.