Several states in the west coast of Peninsular Malaysia experienced tremors following a magnitude 8.7 earthquake which hit Indonesia's Aceh region today.

The Malaysian Meteorological Department warned the public to stay away from the coast in Kedah, Perlis, Langkawi, Penang and Perak as there was a possible tsunami risk.

Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department assistant operations director Azizan Ismail when contacted by Bernama confirmed the matter and said the tremors were felt in Kuala Lumpur, Penang and Perak.

The tremors were felt around 4.50pm.

Azizan said fire and rescue personnel were despatched to areas where the members of the public sent distress calls.

He said the department received calls at around 4.47 about tremors felt in places like Ampang and Jalan Tun Razak.

Staff at the Malaysian National News Agency (Bernama's) headquarters located off Jalan Tun Razak also reported feeling tremors which lasted about 10 minutes.

In Kangar, residents at the Seri Sena flats in Kampung Bakau rushed out of their homes and gathered in the parking lot after experiencing the tremors.

The residents said they became afraid when the 12-storey flats shook during the tremors.

The tremors were also reported to have been felt at the EPF building in the city and also at Kampung Behor Lateh near here as well as Kuala Perlis.

- Bernama