Search for missing boy, 13, in Kallang River resumes: Aunt says he brought ‘coolness’ to their hearts

The search for a 13-year-old boy who went missing in the Kallang River and is suspected to have drowned resumed at around 7am on Feb. 26, according to a Berita Harian report.

This comes more than 16 hours after he was first reported missing.

Search resumes

Search and rescue efforts were suspended late on Feb. 25 as visibility worsened after nightfall, making it unsafe to continue.

Police said they were alerted at about 4:30pm on Feb. 25 to a suspected drowning in the river.

Preliminary investigations indicate that no foul play is suspected.

Operations have since resumed, with officers from the Singapore Police Force (SPF) working alongside the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF).

When Mothership visited the scene on the morning of Feb. 26, no officers from the SPF or the SCDF were observed in the area.

Family members gather at riverbank

Several of the boy’s relatives were present, according to Berita Harian, at the scene near block 8B Upper Boon Keng Road at around 6am.

They appeared visibly distraught as they waited by the riverbank.

A woman who identified herself as the boy’s aunt told BH that the teenager’s name is Daniel.

She described him as the second of three siblings and someone who brought "coolness" to his family's hearts.

“He would always reassure us when we were feeling anxious,” she said, adding that she had yet to come to terms with what had happened.

The aunt and four other relatives were also seen combing the area.

Fishing prior to incident

A report by Lianhe Zaobao on Feb. 25 stated that the boy had been fishing when he fell into the river.

According to the aunt, the family were aware that Daniel had gone out with his friends earlier that day. She said he didn't typically fish.

“At this stage, we can only hope that the public will pray for Daniel’s safety and for our family,” the aunt said.

Top photos via Mothership