[6][7][8][9][10] Eighteen fatalities were reported, all occurring on Mount Kinabalu,[11] including ten Singaporeans, six Malaysians, and two from both China and Japan.

[12] As a result of the earthquake, most areas in the Kinabalu Park have been closed temporarily until the situation is cleared and undergoing repairs and rehabilitation.

[21] According to the claims of local natives, the earthquake was caused by "aki" (the mountain protectors) who had become angered over the acts of ten western tourists (comprising six men and four women from Canada, Germany, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom)[22] who "stripped and urinated at the mountain (which is believed by local natives as a sacred place) on 30 May", six days before the earthquake happened.

[26] However, as most of the detained tourists have been released from Malaysia's prison and escaping native court, the local villagers had performed their own rituals.

[28]The brother of one of the deceased mountain guides also criticised the behaviour of the tourists, saying: It is not about laws or superstition, but about having mutual respect among human beings.

[29]Following the incident, some of the tourists and their family members have expressed their apologies to all involved parties with the United Kingdom government beginning to review their travelling advice to Malaysia.

[11] Malaysian nationals accounted for the second most number of deaths, including two climbers (revised downwards from three initially reported missing)[36] and four mountain guides.

[12] The source of the Poring Hot Springs a popular tourist area near Ranau, turned murky and black[48] for a few hours due to the earthquake, which disrupted a clay deposit that interrupts the fault gap that heats up the rainwater.

[57] The National Security Council (NSC) dispatched 25 members of the Special Malaysia Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (SMART) – paramedics, engineers and rescuers.

[58] Prime Minister Najib Razak ordered efforts to rescue victims stuck on Mount Kinabalu, with the army troops put on standby, as well as a 24-hour helpline being opened.

[67] AirAsia has collaborating with the Malaysia Volunteer Fire and Rescue Association (MVFRA) to transport relief items to Sabah.

[69] The Malaysian Islamic Development Department (JAKIM) has hold a special prayers for the well-being of the people in Sabah and that the earthquake tragedy does not recur.

[78] The Taiwanese Tzu Chi Foundation in Malaysia through its volunteers in Kota Kinabalu conducted a survey to the earthquake site on 6 June for a disaster survey and visiting currently warded victims in local hospital to providing support with the volunteers also accompanied family members of seven victims and handed out cash relief to each of the family.