Tremors were felt in Brunei-Muara and Temburong districts yesterday, according to the Brunei National Seismic Centre (BNSC).
The centre said the tremors were caused by an earthquake that occurred in Mindanao, the Philippines, some 933 kilometres (km) east of Bandar Seri Begawan at a depth of 628.4km.
Tremors were reported in several buildings in the capital and Mukim Berakas ‘A’. There were also reports of tremors in Mukim Bangar and Mukim Batu Apoi in the Temburong District, said the BNSC.
The centre noted that the Brunei Darussalam Meteorological Department said there was no threat of a tsunami, based on information released by the Pacific Tsunami Warning Centre.
In Bandar Seri Begawan, the tremors prompted several high-rise buildings to be evacuated. A woman having a meeting with her colleagues noticed the “hanging lights swinging and the drinks on their tables swooshing”. She added that she felt slightly nauseated before evacuating the building.
Meanwhile, a staff member at the Design and Technology Building in Kampong Anggerek Desa said a fire marshall instructed all the staff to evacuate around 10am, and they were only allowed to return in the afternoon after the building underwent an inspection.
The BNSC said that the Fire and Rescue Department and the Department of Technical Services, Public Works Department, conducted inspections on buildings where tremors were reported.
The centre said no structural damages have been found, adding that they will continue to monitor the situation.
According to news reports, a 7.1 magnitude quake struck the seabed 133km southwest of Palimbang, the Philippines around 10.13am. – James Kon
