'It should not have happened': Grace Fu apologises for Tanjong Katong sinkhole, ministry forming internal panel

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment (MSE) Grace Fu has apologised for the sinkhole that opened up and swallowed a car along Tanjong Katong Road South on Jul. 26, which resulted in one driver being sent to the hospital.

"On behalf of MSE and PUB (Public Utilities Board), I would like to extend my sincere apology to the injured driver for the injury suffered, as well as for going through a harrowing experience," she told the media on Jul. 29.

Fu emphasised that it was a serious incident that "should not have happened".

She further apologised to "the members of public as well as residents in the vicinity for causing anxiety and unease, and also to the motorists and commuters who have suffered inconveniences from the road closure and diversion".

Road to remain closed

Fu promised that the MSE will be forming an internal investigation panel to look into the cause of the incident, and that the affected road will remain closed until ground stability can be verified.

"We have called a safety time out for PUB to review all its construction projects in Singapore of similar nature. The priority of the team now is really to restore the road as well as public safety," she said.

She said the road is expected to be closed for "a couple of days" and that several tests are being done concurrently.

However Fu said it would not be "appropriate" for her to give a deadline at this point in time as if they did find something of concern, they will have to go in to rectify.

MSE will also work with the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) in investigations.

Fu said their team will be "sensitive to the noise that's being generated" and that they'll do their very best to mitigate it to their fullest, however she said she hoped residents would understand that they want to do this quickly so they can stabilise the situation and ensure public safety.

Sinkhole

A female driver fell into the sinkhole when it opened up suddenly and swallowed her car on the evening of Jul. 26.

She was quickly rescued with a nylon rope by a number of passersby and nearby construction workers, who have since been lauded and recognised for their quick thinking.

The driver is recovering in the hospital.

Immediately after the incident, Members of Parliament (MP) Gho Sze Kee and Goh Pei Ming told the media that the surrounding areas around Tanjong Katong remain stable.

BCA has also confirmed that the surrounding buildings near the sinkhole remain stable and are unaffected by the incident.

However, stabilisation works have commenced as a precautionary measure, and are expected to take several months due to their complexity.

Construction works on site have also been halted and backfilling of the sinkhole was completed on the morning of Jul. 28, BCA said.

Top image by Khoo Wen-en/Mothership