An earthquake, measuring 4.0 on the Richter scale, hit Malaysia's Ranau, Sabah on Thursday morning.

The Meteorological Department, in a statement today, said the tremors from the earthquake could only be felt in Ranau.

It was the third tremor since Wednesday, according to the Malaysian (Bernama) News Agency.

Two weak earthquakes were detected in Ranau yesterday, with the first, measuring 2.5 on the Richter scale, at 11.51 am and the second, measuring 3.4 on the Richter scale, at 6.12 pm.

Last June 5, an earthquake with a magnitude of 5.9 on the Richter scale hit Sabah and claimed 18 lives, as well as caused damage to properties.