Strong earthquake strikes off coast of Sabah, Malaysia

A powerful earthquake struck off the coast of Sabah, Malaysia early on Monday, but no tsunami warning was issued due to its great depth.

The US Geological Survey reported a 7.1 magnitude quake at 12.57am Hong Kong time, approximately 55 kilometers northwest of Kota Belud in Sabah state. The epicenter was located at a depth of about 620 kilometers.

Germany's GFZ research center initially reported the same magnitude but later revised it down to 6.8. It placed the epicenter off the northern coast of Borneo island at a depth of around 633 kilometers.

The US National Tsunami Warning Center stated that because the earthquake was a deep-focus event, no tsunami warning was required.