Loud bang heard across Ipoh city centre, cause unknown

IPOH: A loud bang was heard across the city here, with some buildings also shaken from the incident.

The noise, which sounded like an explosion, was heard in several areas, including Silibin, the city centre, Bercham and Gunung Lang, at about 11.05am on Monday (Oct 21).

Some internet users on Facebook also claimed to have even experienced it in Kuala Kangsar.

Some theories were floated, including rock-blasting being conducted at quarries, exercise by the army and sonic boom caused by a jet.

When contacted, Ipoh OCPD Asst Comm Abang Zainal Abidin Abang Ahmad said they have no information for now while Perak police chief Comm Datuk Azizi Mat Aris said they are looking into it.

A similar incident occurred on Oct 4, 2018, which left many people puzzled as to what caused it.

According to Sinar Harian, the tremor, which lasted for a few seconds, was accompanied by a loud boom that left many people startled and panicked.

A survey at Medan Istana found that most staff members rushed out of their offices to save themselves.

M Diviya, 30, said the tremor caused the glass doors of her office to appear as if they were about to shatter.

“The tremor happened suddenly, and at the same time, I heard a sound like an explosion coming from above. My colleagues and I didn’t wait long; we immediately left the office because we were worried about a collapse,” she said.

Diviya, who works at a law firm, said she had already contacted the Minerals and Geosciences Department to inform them about the incident.

“The department told us that they had also received several similar complaints regarding the tremor,” she told the daily.

Noor Zaiti Nabilah Ahmad, 32, said this was her first time experiencing a tremor in her six years of working there.

“It was scary, but thankfully, nothing undesirable happened. The tremor only lasted for a short while,” she said.

A survey on social media revealed that the tremor was also felt in Tasek, Stadium Perak, Meru, Falim, and Manjoi, as well as by users of the North-South Expressway (PLUS) near the Menora Tunnel.

So far, the department has not issued any statements or notifications regarding the tremor.