Authorities rule out terrorism in Singapore highway collapse

SINGAPORE: A portion of the Nicoll Highway near the Golden Mile Complex where the MRT’s Circle Line is being built collapsed at 3.30pm, killing a Malaysian worker while three others are missing. 

Police and civil defence officers at the scene have blocked off access to the road between the Kallang area and Suntec City. Authorities have ruled out terrorism and acts of sabotage in the incident. 

The body of crane operator Vadivil Nadason, 38, from Taman Universiti in Skudai, Johor Baru, has been pulled out of the rubble so far, and rescue teams, including search dogs, are looking through the debris. 

The late Nadason leaves behind a wife and five children. 

The collapsed portion of Nicoll Highway aftersteel beams supporting excavation work for anMRT station gave way in Singapore on Tuesday. The authorities have blocked off access to the road between the Kallang area and Suntec City until search operations are completed.

Of the three people sent to hospital, two have been discharged. A hole now occupies six lanes of the highway.  

Eyewitnesses said the pedestrian bridge across the highway had toppled over. 

Other reports said fires were blazing in the site. Water was seen gushing out onto the road, and some witnesses reported a strong smell of gas is in the air. Others felt tremors and heard blasts. 

Utility provider PowerGas confirmed that a section of a gas pipe along the highway was damaged in the collapse, but that engineers had shut off supply.  

Gas supply to the area was not affected because alternative pipes were being used. 

The collapse also interrupted electricity supply to the Marina Centre area, affecting Suntec City and Marina Square, according to a statement from Singapore Power. 

A marketing communications manager working near Suntec City told The Straits Times Interactive that the blackout occurred just before 4pm but power was restored within 20 minutes. 

The Land Transport Authority said the collapse occurred at 3.30pm, when excavation work for the Nicoll Highway MRT station – part of Stage 1 of the Circle Line – near Merdeka Bridge behind Golden Mile Complex collapsed. 

A police spokesman said the support beams holding up the underground work site gave way.  

SAFETY CHECK: Workers inspecting part of the collapsed Nicoll Highway where the MRT CircleLine is being built. — AFPpic

Some 20 workers were believed to have been working in the underground site at the time. 

Motorists have been asked to avoid the entire stretch of Nicoll Highway. 

Another eyewitness said that the navy’s Fokker planes were seen circling the site. 

One injured worker, a Thai in his early 20s, has been sent to the Singapore General Hospital and is in stable condition.  

Tan Tock Seng Hospital, also on standby for more casualties, has examined and discharged two other injured workers. 

Police spokesman Tan Puay Kern assured the public that the buildings in the area are undamaged and remain structurally safe.  

Transport Minister Yeo Cheow Tong visited the site yesterday evening.  

He said no effort would be spared to sift through the rubble to find those who are still unaccounted for. 

He added that construction of the Circle Line would now have to be delayed, and that the highway – a main artery linking eastern Singapore with the Central Business District – wouldremain closed for the next few months. – The Straits Times/Asia News Network 

Related Story:Teabreak saves lives of 20 men working at the site

For more news and pictures from The Straits Times, a partner of Asia News Network, click here.