6.9 Sumatra earthquake felt in Penang, no damage reported

A STRONG earthquake with a magnitude of 6.4 was detected in North Sumatra, Indonesia, at 6.54 pm today.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department (MetMalaysia) via a post on Facebook announced that the earthquake was centred at coordinates 2.9 degrees north and 98.8 degrees east, with a depth of 154 kilometres (km).

The earthquake was located 37 km southwest of Permatang Siantar.

According to MetMalaysia, tremors were felt around the West Coast of Peninsular Malaysia, but there was no tsunami threat to the country.

Tremors were also felt in several areas in Penang, with five reports received by the authorities.

According to reports, the Penang Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) confirmed receiving five reports related to the tremors, four on the island and one in Seberang Perai.

Penang JBPM Operations Assistant Director, John Sagun Francis, confirmed that his department had received five reports so far.

Four reports were received from the island's Northeastern and Southeastern districts, while another was from Seberang Perai.

So far, no injuries or damage have been reported in Penang following the tremor.

Meanwhile, social media was also flooded with reports from the public claiming to have felt the tremor in several areas including Balik Pulau, Batu Ferringhi, Tanjung Tokong, Straits Quay, Bayan Lepas, Macallum, Air Itam, Teluk Kumbar, Greenlane, Jelutong, Bukit Mertajam and Butterworth. – August 15, 2026