www.channelnewsasia.com
Open in
urlscan Pro
104.109.94.227
Public Scan
URL:
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/tuas-fire-explosion-3-workers-dead-5-critical-condition-374146
Submission: On March 16 via api from IE — Scanned from DE
Submission: On March 16 via api from IE — Scanned from DE
Form analysis 1 forms found in the DOM
POST /singapore/tuas-fire-explosion-3-workers-dead-5-critical-condition-374146
<form class="subscription-form-1" data-drupal-selector="subscription-form-1" action="/singapore/tuas-fire-explosion-3-workers-dead-5-critical-condition-374146" method="post" id="subscription-form-1" accept-charset="UTF-8">
<div class="subscribe-form-wrapper">
<div class="js-form-item form-item">
<div class="form-item__dropdown"><select data-drupal-selector="edit-newsletter-shortcode" id="edit-newsletter-shortcode" name="newsletter_shortcode" class="form-select form-item__select">
<option value="" selected="selected">Choose a newsletter</option>
<option value="CNA_Partners">Morning Brief</option>
<option value="CNA_EveningBrief">Evening Brief</option>
<option value="CNA_BreakingNews">Breaking news alerts</option>
<option value="CNA_Insider">CNA Insider</option>
<option value="CNA_Commentary">CNA Commentary</option>
<option value="CNA_Partners,CNA_EveningBrief,CNA_BreakingNews,CNA_Insider,CNA_Commentary">All of the above</option>
</select></div>
</div>
<div class="js-form-item form-item">
<input placeholder="Enter email address" data-drupal-selector="edit-email" type="text" id="edit-email" name="email" value="" size="60" maxlength="128" class="form-text form-item__textfield">
</div>
<input data-drupal-selector="edit-subscription-div-identifier" type="hidden" name="subscription_div_identifier" value="subscription_form__1556" class="form-item__textfield">
<input autocomplete="off" data-drupal-selector="form-21souysv6-qkk2veoy494xeom5oymdihdrqktnza0nc" type="hidden" name="form_build_id" value="form-21sOuySv6-QKK2vEoy494xeoM5oYMDIHdrqkTNZa0Nc" class="form-item__textfield">
<input data-drupal-selector="edit-subscription-form-1" type="hidden" name="form_id" value="subscription_form_1" class="form-item__textfield">
<div class="submit-wrapper"><input data-drupal-selector="edit-submit" data-disable-refocus="true" type="submit" id="edit-submit" name="op" value="Subscribe Now" class="button js-form-submit form-submit form-item__textfield"
data-once="drupal-ajax">
</div>
</div>
<div id="form-error-subscription_form__1556" class="inline-error"></div>
</form>Text Content
Skip to main content
Best News Website or Mobile Service
WAN-IFRA Digital Media Awards Worldwide
Best News Website or Mobile Service
Digital Media Awards Worldwide
* Sign In
* Account
* My Feed
* Search
Hamburger Menu
Close
* Top Stories
* Singapore
* Asia
* World
* Commentary
* Sustainability
* Business
* Sport
* COVID-19
* Latest News
* Discover
* CNA Insider
* Watch
* Live TV
* News Reports
* Documentaries & Shows
* TV Schedule
* Listen
* CNA938 Live
* Podcasts
* Radio Schedule
* Special Reports
* Singapore Parliament
* Mental Health
* Interactives
* World Cup
* Lifestyle
* Entertainment
* Women
* Wellness
* Living
* Style & Beauty
* Dining
* Travel
* Luxury
* Experiences
* Obsessions
* People
* Remarkable Living
* CNA Eyewitness
* Send us a news tip
* Events & Partnerships
* Branded Content
* Business Blueprint
* Health Matters
* The Asian Traveller
* Weather
Edition:
* Singapore
* Asia
Close
Close
* Top Stories
* Singapore
* Asia
* World
* Commentary
* Sustainability
* Business
* Sport
* COVID-19
* Latest News
* Discover
* CNA Insider
* Watch
* Live TV
* News Reports
* Documentaries & Shows
* TV Schedule
* Listen
* CNA938 Live
* Podcasts
* Radio Schedule
* Special Reports
* Singapore Parliament
* Mental Health
* Interactives
* World Cup
* Lifestyle
* Entertainment
* Women
* Wellness
* Living
* Style & Beauty
* Dining
* Travel
* Luxury
* Experiences
* Obsessions
* People
* Remarkable Living
* CNA Eyewitness
* Send us a news tip
* Events & Partnerships
* Branded Content
* Business Blueprint
* Health Matters
* The Asian Traveller
* Weather
Edition:
* Singapore
* Asia
SEARCH
TRENDING TOPICS
CNA Explains China ChatGPT Malaysia Ukraine invasion climate change COVID-19
Budget 2023 Wellness Snap Insight Russia
FOLLOW CNA
FOLLOW OUR NEWS
* Facebook
* Twitter
* Youtube
* LinkedIn
* RSS
RECENT SEARCHES
TRENDING TOPICS
CNA Explains China ChatGPT Malaysia Ukraine invasion climate change COVID-19
Budget 2023 Wellness Snap Insight Russia
MAIN NAVIGATION
* Top Stories
* Latest News
* Discover
* Singapore
* Asia
* Commentary
* Sustainability
* CNA Insider
* Lifestyle
* Watch
* Listen
* + All Sections
Singapore
TUAS EXPLOSION: 3 WORKERS DIE FROM INJURIES, 5 IN CRITICAL CONDITION
Bookmark Bookmark Share
WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn
Close
Close
* Top Stories
* Singapore
* Asia
* World
* Commentary
* Sustainability
* Business
* Sport
* COVID-19
* Latest News
* Discover
* CNA Insider
* Watch
* Live TV
* News Reports
* Documentaries & Shows
* TV Schedule
* Listen
* CNA938 Live
* Podcasts
* Radio Schedule
* Special Reports
* Singapore Parliament
* Mental Health
* Interactives
* World Cup
* Lifestyle
* Entertainment
* Women
* Wellness
* Living
* Style & Beauty
* Dining
* Travel
* Luxury
* Experiences
* Obsessions
* People
* Remarkable Living
* CNA Eyewitness
* Send us a news tip
* Events & Partnerships
* Branded Content
* Business Blueprint
* Health Matters
* The Asian Traveller
* Weather
Edition:
* Singapore
* Asia
SEARCH
TRENDING TOPICS
CNA Explains China ChatGPT Malaysia Ukraine invasion climate change COVID-19
Budget 2023 Wellness Snap Insight Russia
FOLLOW CNA
FOLLOW OUR NEWS
* Facebook
* Twitter
* Youtube
* LinkedIn
* RSS
RECENT SEARCHES
TRENDING TOPICS
CNA Explains China ChatGPT Malaysia Ukraine invasion climate change COVID-19
Budget 2023 Wellness Snap Insight Russia
ADVERTISEMENT
ADVERTISEMENT
Singapore
TUAS EXPLOSION: 3 WORKERS DIE FROM INJURIES, 5 IN CRITICAL CONDITION
The damage at 32E Tuas Avenue 11, the day after a fire at the industrial
building on Feb 24, 2021. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
MATTHEW MOHAN
@MatthewMohanCNA
JOHANNES TJENDRO
Matthew Mohan & Johannes Tjendro
25 Feb 2021 03:38PM (Updated: 26 Feb 2021 12:02AM)
Bookmark Bookmark Share
WhatsApp Telegram Facebook Twitter Email LinkedIn
SINGAPORE: Three of the 10 workers who suffered burns in a fire at an industrial
building in Tuas have died, said Commissioner for Workplace Safety and Health
(WSH) Silas Sng on Thursday (Feb 25).
Another five are in critical condition, while two workers have been discharged,
added Mr Sng.
ADVERTISEMENT
Preliminary investigations have found that the accident at 32E Tuas Avenue 11
was caused by "a combustible dust explosion", said Mr Sng, who is also director
of the Manpower Ministry’s Occupational Safety and Health Division.
He added that the dust was in the form of potato starch powder, a material used
for production by the company at the site, Stars Engrg.
SCDF personnel inspecting the damage at a Tuas industrial building a day after a
fire broke out at 32E Tuas Avenue 11 on Feb 24, 2021. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Burnt cardboard and wood at 32E Tuas Avenue 11, a day after the fire at the
industrial building on Feb 24, 2021. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Mr Sng explained that such dust can be generated when powder is transferred,
such as from a bag into a mixer.
“Over time, the dust can accumulate in the environment, especially if the
ventilation or the housekeeping is inadequate … And when the dust comes into
contact with a source of a friction, an explosion will occur as we see in this
accident.”
He urged companies working with similar combustible materials to review their
safety measures to ensure that dust does not accumulate in an enclosed
environment.
ADVERTISEMENT
READ: TUAS FIRE - THE EXPLOSIVE DANGER OF POTATO POWDER, SUGAR, FLOUR AND OTHER
DUST PARTICLES
DECEASED WORKERS NOT YET IDENTIFIED
When asked by CNA if the families of the deceased workers have been informed, Mr
Sng said the workers have not yet been identified.
"As we understand from the hospital, (their identities are) still in the process
of being ascertained due to the extensive injuries that they have sustained.
"So I think in the interest of confidentiality ... once it is confirmed, then we
will inform the families accordingly," said Mr Sng.
He added that the National Trades Union Congress and the Migrant Workers' Centre
(MWC) have been in touch with other affected migrant workers and their companies
"to render whatever assistance necessary to help them".
ADVERTISEMENT
MWC on Thursday said the employer of the deceased workers is cooperating with
it and the Building Construction And Timber Industries Employees' Union to
"provide immediate assistance to their families, including facilitating the
repatriation of their bodies".
"We are also assisting them to do the necessary Work Injury Compensation Act
(WICA) claims," said MWC in a Facebook post.
"In the interim, we have put together a token sum for the deceased’s family.
Where necessary, the MWC will also help to supplement this token to ensure that
the needs of the families are met as they await compensation from WICA.
"We will tap on MWC’s Migrant Workers’ Assistance Fund, for the necessary
financial support," it added.
SAFETY TIME-OUT
ADVERTISEMENT
The last time a combustible dust explosion happened was "many years ago" and
guidance documents have been given to the industry, said Mr Sng.
The Workplace Safety and Health Council has called for a safety time-out.
Council chairman John Ng said the time-out is for employers "to have a look at
their business processes" and whether their machinery is well-maintained and
correctly used.
The time-out can be half or a full day, with the flexibility given to companies
to decide on the length, added Mr Ng.
The WSH commissioner said the call for safety time-out is an important step to
remind employers and workers "not to take safety lightly".
And when asked if there were any lapses and if the accident could have been
avoided, Mr Sng said: "We believe that all accidents are preventable. In this
particular case, I think as the matter is still under investigation so we will
not be able to comment on whether there are lapses."
"VERY LOUD EXPLOSION"
The workers were taken to hospital with burns on Wednesday following what
witnesses say was a "very loud explosion".
Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) firefighters who arrived at the scene
extinguished the fire at Stars Engrg, where employees were working on an
industrial mixer when the explosion occurred.
READ: 10 PEOPLE SUFFER BURNS AFTER 'LOUD EXPLOSION' AT TUAS INDUSTRIAL BUILDING
READ: FEBRUARY WORKPLACE FATALITIES CLIMB TO 10 AFTER DEATH OF WORKERS IN TUAS
EXPLOSION
Eight workers suffered burns and were taken to Singapore General Hospital, said
the Manpower Ministry. Another two workers from P3 Project, a company located
opposite Stars Engrg, also suffered burns and were taken to Ng Teng Fong General
Hospital.
Decimated back wall of 32E Tuas Avenue 11 after a fire at the industrial
building. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Damage seen at 32E Tuas Avenue 11, the day after a fire at the industrial
building on Feb 24, 2021. (Photo: Gaya Chandramohan)
Photographs of the area showed smoke billowing from the building as well as
multiple SCDF and police vehicles.
Videos seen by CNA showed several workers with burns and patches of skin missing
from their arms, torso and back. Several of them had their clothing burned off
and were seen with strips of cloth on their shoulders and legs.
Source: CNA/kg(cy)
RELATED TOPICS
Tuas explosion Ministry of Manpower
ADVERTISEMENT
ALSO WORTH READING
GOOD SAMARITANS SAVE TRAPPED KITTEN IN HOUR-LONG RESCUE OUTSIDE WATERWAY POINT
SWISS CENTRAL BANK THROWS FINANCIAL LIFELINE TO CREDIT SUISSE AFTER SHARES
PUMMELLED
MAN ARRESTED FOR ALLEGEDLY IMPORTING 20 REPLICA GUNS, 54 MAGAZINES
SINGAPOREAN COUPLE KILLED AFTER THEIR CAR WAS HIT BY SPEEDING TRUCK IN INDIA
Recommended by
He's turning waste into wealth
[Galerie] 29 Google Street View-Fotos, die für Aufsehen sorgen HistoryA2Z
[Fotos] 30 Fotos, die wirklich zum Nachdenken anregen Psychic Monday
Zwischen 1940 und 1980 geboren? Sie haben Anspruch auf einen risikofreien
Hörgeräte-Test Hear Clear
ADVERTISEMENT
Expand to read the full story
Fetching more news
CNA SECTIONS
* Asia
* Singapore
* Business
* CNA Insider
* Lifestyle
* Luxury
* CNA938 Live
* Commentary
* Interactives
* Live TV
* Sport
* World
* Special Reports
ABOUT CNA
* About Us
* Advertise With Us
* Contact Us
* Hotel Partners
* Correspondents
* Presenters
* Mediacorp Network
PRESSED FOR TIME? STAY INFORMED WITH CNA'S NEWSLETTERS
Be among the first to know the Breaking news
Choose a newsletterMorning BriefEvening BriefBreaking news alertsCNA InsiderCNA
CommentaryAll of the above
This service is not intended for persons residing in the E.U. By clicking
subscribe, I agree to receive news updates and promotional material from
Mediacorp and Mediacorp's partners.
FOLLOW OUR NEWS
* Facebook
* Twitter
* Youtube
* LinkedIn
* RSS
Copyright© Mediacorp 2023. Mediacorp Pte Ltd. All rights reserved.
Official Domain | Terms & Conditions | Privacy Policy
THIS BROWSER IS NO LONGER SUPPORTED
We know it's a hassle to switch browsers but we want your experience with CNA to
be fast, secure and the best it can possibly be.
To continue, upgrade to a supported browser or, for the finest experience,
download the mobile app.
Upgraded but still having issues? Contact us
✓
Thanks for sharing!
AddToAny
More…