A migrant worker who was reported missing following the collapse of a worksite in Tanjong Pagar, was found dead on 15 June following extensive search and rescue operations.
Following the tragic incident, more details about the deceased have since been released.
The deceased worker, a 20-year-old Indian national, had arrived in Singapore merely ten months ago and was the primary provider for his family.
The 20-year-old is survived by his parents and a younger brother, who are currently in a state of disbelief and shock over the untimely demise of their son.
The victim, identified as Mr. Vinoth Kumar, hailed from a small village in the Indian state of Tamil Nadu, as shared by one of his cousins in an interview with Shin Min Daily News.
The Straits Times reported that Mr. Kumar arrived in Singapore in September 2022, approximately ten months ago. He had obtained the job through his granduncle, Mr. Raja, who worked in the same demolition company.
Upon receiving news of his grandnephew’s disappearance, Mr. Raja, who was responsible for Mr. Kumar’s welfare in Singapore, immediately rushed to the scene of the incident.
He reached the Tanjong Pagar worksite around 8 p.m., nearly two hours before the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel were able to recover Mr. Kumar’s body from the rubble.
Heartbroken by the loss of his grandnephew, Mr. Raja expressed his emotions when asked to identify the body. The 44-year-old lamented to The Straits Times, saying, “He is my family, my baby. He grew up in my home, and I took care of him. How long can I continue to cry?”
Mr. Raja described Mr. Kumar as a responsible young man who only spent money on food, sending the remainder back to India every month.
Mr. Kumar’s parents worked odd jobs, earning a meager income of S$3 to S$4 per day. With Mr. Kumar’s steady earnings, he had become the sole breadwinner for the family.
Accompanied by a group of 10 friends and relatives, Mr. Raja went to Singapore General Hospital on the morning of June 16th to claim his grandnephew’s body. They plan to expedite the embalming process before repatriating the remains to India.