Tremors felt most in homes in central Singapore
By Valarie Tan, Channel NewsAsia | Posted: 12 September 2007 2227 hrs

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SINGAPORE : Although the tremors from the Indonesian earthquake on Wednesday were felt islandwide, homes in central Singapore seemed to have felt it the most.

Many residents also rushed out after feeling the tremors.

In one 12-storey flat in Potong Pasir Avenue 1, the chairs in the apartment started shaking on their own, shortly after 7pm.

62-year-old Tang Kwai Lan said, "The chairs were shifting up and down. About 2 to 3 times. And I thought 'earthquake!'"

And she was not alone. Residents from nearly 10 blocks in the area also had similar experiences.

They said the tremors were felt from the ground level right up to the 14th storey.

Clinic assistant Neo Chong Kim said, "The place was moving. Cupboards were shaking. The glass panes were rattling -- a few times, about three to four times."

Another resident said, "I saw wires swinging outside my window. Items on my altar also shook furiously. I was getting dizzy and couldn't walk. But I managed to rush out of my home."

About 50 residents had rushed down from their flats and gathered at a carpark immediately after feeling the tremors in their homes.

They waited for about 10 minutes before deciding it was safe to return home.

Residents told Channel NewsAsia the tremors came sporadically, each lasting about two to three seconds. In total, the buildings shook for about two minutes, according to the residents.

But they said this was not the first time they had felt tremors. Some said they have had three to four previous similar experiences, but added that this time, the impact was the strongest and the most terrifying. - CNA/ms