Xinmin Sec School bomb threat: Note claiming there was a bomb allegedly found in Sec 3 classroom

Xinmin Secondary School was evacuated on the morning of Aug. 13 after a suspected bomb threat, prompting police to conduct a search of the campus.

Normal lessons have since resumed following investigations.

All students and staff evacuated

The school, which is located in Hougang, reportedly informed parents and guardians that it activated its emergency evacuation procedures at 8:28am following the alert.

It added that all students and staff were safely evacuated and accounted for.

After police completed a thorough search of the premises and found no suspicious items, students returned to their classrooms and lessons resumed as scheduled.

Note in a classroom

Lianhe Zaobao reported that the incident stemmed from a note discovered in a classroom claiming that there was a bomb.

Several students told Zaobao that they were instructed to evacuate to the school field without initially knowing the reason.

They later learned that a teacher had found the note in a Secondary 3 classroom, prompting the school to activate its emergency response.

A school staff member said students and teachers remained at the field while awaiting further instructions, with the school providing drinks during the evacuation.

No one was allowed to re-enter the school buildings while police conducted their checks.

Those who needed to use the restroom were directed to Xinmin Primary School next door through a gate beside the field, the staff member added.

He also said police officers spoke to several students during the evacuation.

He added that he initially thought it was a routine emergency drill, but later realised the gravity of the situation after noticing six police vehicles on campus.

"I heard that the police also searched the third floor, and the police cars left about half an hour later," the staff member was quoted as saying.

Investigations ongoing

In response to Mothership's queries, the police said they were alerted to a potential bomb threat incident at Xinmin Secondary School at around 8:20am on Aug. 13.

Both the police and school personnel conducted a thorough check at the premises and no suspicious item was found.

They added that investigations into a case of communicating false information of a harmful thing under Section 268A of the Penal Code 1871 are ongoing.

The offence carries a penalty of up to seven years' imprisonment, a fine of up to S$50,000, or both.

The police said they take all security threats seriously and will not hesitate to act against those who intentionally communicate false bomb threats.

School cooperating with investigations

Speaking to Zaobao, Xinmin Secondary School principal Tan Soon Hui said the school immediately notified the police after receiving the suspected bomb threat on Thursday morning.

He said all students and teachers were evacuated to a designated assembly point and remained safe throughout the incident.

After police officers and school staff completed a search of the campus and found no suspicious items, the school arranged for students and teachers to return to class and continue lessons.

Tan added that the school is cooperating with the police in their investigations.

He said the safety and well-being of students and staff remain the school's top priority, and that it will continue to ensure appropriate measures are in place to respond to emergencies.