E3N Security, a security firm in Singapore, posted an apology on Facebook after it uploaded two CCTV clips of the February 13 Tanjong Pagar crash which claimed five lives.
The firm subsequently removed the clips.
What was shown in the clips
The clips showed different angles of Tanjong Pagar Road.
In one of the clips, the white BMW that the five victims — Jonathan Long, 29, Gary Wong, 29, Eugene Yap, 29, Elvin Tan, 28, and Teo Qi Xiang, 26 — were travelling in crashes into a shophouse along Tanjong Pagar Road and bursts into flames.
Roughly a minute later, Long's girlfriend, Raybe Oh runs into frame and into the fire.
About 10 seconds later, she emerges and runs across the street, engulfed in flames. A passerby rushes towards her, likely to offer assistance.
E3N Security uploaded the clips onto Facebook, describing in detail how the BMW lost control and skidded into a pillar, resulting in an explosion. It later said in its apology that the upload was the result of an "administrative error".
Security firm says it can take legal measures against people who distribute clip
E3N Security did not offer reasons for posting the clip, except to note that its actions caused "unnecessary suffering for the victims' families":
"We would like to apologise for our mistake and acknowledged that it is insensitive to show the full clip of Ms. Oh in distress and we would like to inform all others to refrain from sharing the full clip."
The firm went on to warn the public that it has the right to take legal measures against people who distribute the video without authorisation.
Firm authorised by owner of shophouse premises to release CCTV recording
E3N Security said that it has been authorised by the owner of the premises to manage and release the CCTV recordings. The owner is a client of E3N Security.
E3N Security sent a low-resolution copy of the clip to the Straits Times. It also sent a high resolution copy to the Singapore Police to aid in their investigation.
However, it seems that netizens aren't fully convinced of the need to disclose the distressing footage to parties aside from the police.
One Facebook user commented:
"Be it edited or the original clip, is there a need for YOUR COMPANY to disclose the footage? Shouldn't the police be in a more appropriate capacity to release the footage if needed? Try harder w ur reasons. I mean excuses."
Another Facebook user commented:
"they can share any video captured on your cameras to Facebook to promote their business as they see fit."
Top images via Song Seng Wun/Facebook, Michael Tay Photography