SINGAPORE : Police have said that engineers from the Housing and Development Board (HDB) and the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) have inspected 42 buildings in the areas hit by tremors following the massive earthquake in Indonesia on Wednesday.

These are HDB blocks as well as private and commercial buildings. And all have been certified structurally safe.

In a statement, police said 142 buildings experienced tremors. Most were in Clementi, Jurong, Orchard, Yishun and the Central Business District areas.

Police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force received over 500 calls from the public about the tremors.

And so far, there are no reports of injury.

Police said there is no cause for alarm as buildings here can withstand tremors caused by distant earthquakes.

If there is a quake, you should take cover under a table and keep away from hanging objects and items made of glass, if you are indoors.

You should also avoid using the lift, and any naked light, in case of a gas leak.

If you are outdoors, you need to remain in the open, away from buildings and overhead electrical cables.

Once vibrations stop, you should check for any visible sign of structural defects such as new cracks on the walls, floors, parapet, columns and beams.

If there are no new cracks, it is generally safe to remain in the building.

Police said evacuation is only necessary when there are visible signs of structural defects.

If there are structural defects, HDB residents can call the HDB's Essential Maintenance Service Unit's 24-hour hotline at 6275 5555 and 6354 3333.

Those in private buildings can contact the BCA at 6325 7720 during office hours. - CNA/ms