A 13-year-old boy was reported missing in the Kallang River on Wednesday, Feb 25. The incident led to a search-and-rescue operation that lasted several hours before it was suspended due to low visibility at night.
The police said they were alerted to a suspected drowning case at about 4.30 pm. After receiving the call, officers began search operations together with the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF). Both agencies worked in the area where the boy was last seen.
According to SCDF, its firefighters and rescuers from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team responded to the scene. The DART team carried out underwater search efforts in the river, focusing on the spot where the teen was believed to have gone missing.
SCDF said, “After more than four hours of search, operations were suspended as a safety precaution due to low visibility as nightfall approached. The search will resume at first light the following morning.”
Police added that preliminary investigations do not suspect foul play. Investigations are still ongoing.
Eyewitnesses shared what they saw at the scene. One person told CNA that police officers and SCDF personnel were present near Kallang MRT station at about 5.30 pm. A section of the area was cordoned off as operations continued.
Another eyewitness who was jogging along the river said authorities were still at the location at about 8.20 pm.
Search efforts are expected to continue the next morning when visibility improves.
