SKY‑SNAIL INCIDENT: Shockwaves at the Tuas Shipyard
What Went Down
In the blistering heat of Monday, August 22, a towering shore crane at Keppel Shipyard took a dramatic tumble, sending a 38‑year‑old Bangladeshi worker scuttling straight into the sea. The crane’s concrete base gave a spectacular “whoosh” and the giant fell, part of it partially submerged. The whole scene shifted from routine workday to a frantic rescue mission.
Who Got Hit
- Missing: 38‑year‑old Bangladeshi worker, employed by Kumarann Marine, still loved by search teams as of 3:15 pm on Tuesday.
- Minor injuries:
- 29‑year‑old Bangladeshi
- 31‑year‑old Bangladeshi
- 48‑year‑old Chinese national
- 40‑year‑old local Singaporean
All are reported to be stable – no major damage, but definitely a rough day.
Emergency Response
The Singapore Civil Defence Force kicked off the incident at noon on Monday. Two workers – the 40‑year‑old Singaporean and the 31‑year‑old Bangladeshi – were rushed to National University Hospital. Meanwhile, Keppel Shipyard’s spokesperson confirmed a section of the quayside had snapped, allowing workers to plunge into the water and tipping the crane to its side.
They’ve managed to rescue one worker in good shape. The other? Still down in the water, and the search teams are in full swing. The SCDF and Police Coast Guard are on the brainwave of the missing heart‑throb.
Seeing Is Believing
Social media screenshots show the crane was standing fed‑up beside a large vessel. The base buckled spectacularly, and the boom, the long arm that lifts cargo, lay twisted on top of the ship. It was like the crane’s own “death grip.”
Wrap‑Up
All hands involved are stable; the missing worker is the emotional center of today’s drama. As the town awaits a hero’s arrival, we’re cheering for the calm, the courage, and the quick action that’s keeping the crew safe.
<img alt="" data-caption="MOM said part of the concrete pier on which the crane was standing on had collapsed.
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Behind the Halo of a Keppel Shipyard Accident
When the shipyard’s pier went silent, MOM launched an inquiry to find out why the sudden collapse happened, putting all work on hold. Keppel Shipyard, meanwhile, teamed up with authorities to dig deep into the tragedy.
Keppel Shipyard’s stance: “We care deeply about every worker’s life and safety. As investigations progress, no additional details can be shared just yet.”
This is the second fatal mishap at Keppel’s Tuas site this year—both involving a big structure toppling down.
Flashback to March 28’s Shocking Incident
Two Bangladeshi workers, ages 30 and 42, lost their lives when a vessel’s top section collapsed. They were out on a scaffold that had encircled the doomed structure.
- The third workmate, also from Bangladesh, cruelly clung to the crumbling framework.
- At 25, he was hauled out by the shipyard’s emergency responders and rushed to the hospital for help.
Worrying Wake‑Up Call
The dip in workplace safety standards is clearly alarming, especially after a spike in accidents—today’s tally hits 32 fatalities this year alone, surpassing the 30 recorded in 2020 and teetering close to last year’s 37.
Stay sharp—works in shipyards can be like drama theater with a pinch of danger. It’s a reminder that safety should never be a backdrop, it must be the lead.
