GEORGE TOWN: Tremors were felt in several parts of Penang following an earthquake which struck North Sumatra tonight.
Residents in highrises in Jelutong, Tanjung Bungah and Seberang Jaya reportedly saw items in their residential units shaking vigorously about 8.45pm.
At the Mutiara Idaman Apartments in Jelutong, residents rushed out from their units to the ground floor, fearing for their safety when the tremors struck.
Fire and Rescue Department personnel were on site to ensure that the situation was under control.
Netizens remarked that the tremors, which lasted barely five minutes, were frightening.
Amareena Jayabalam, said: "Yes I felt (the tremors) at my condominium in Seberang Perai. It was scary. The door trembled, and then the whole building shook."
Another netizen, Goh Lin Lin said: "Tremors were felt in Gelugor. Felt it on the ground level."
The Malaysian Meteorological Department, in a statement issued via its Facebook page tonight, confirmed that a 5.5 magnitude earthquake hit Northern Sumatra.
The tremors were also felt in other parts of Peninsular Malaysia.