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7 Facts About the Tanjong Pagar Building Collapse That is Known So Far

2023-06-16 , 12:30 pm

Last Updated on 2023-07-06 , 3:58 pm

Heard about the “Tanjong Pagar Collapse” but unsure about what it’s about? Don’t worry, we’ve got your back.

Here are 7 facts about the Tanjong Pagar building collapse that are known so far, simplified so you can catch up quickly.

1. The Building in the Tanjong Pagar Collapse is the Fuji Xerox Tower

fuji xerox towers tanjong pagar collapse — Image: Mingtiandi

The structure that collapsed belongs to the iconic Fuji Xerox Tower located on Anson Road.

Folks who work in the city and take city direct buses from the heartlands would pass by on their way to work.

Photos of the scene show debris on Bernam Street off Anson Road.

tanjong pagar collapse aftermath — Image: Submission to ST

The area was also cordoned off.

2. It is Being Redeveloped Into a Mixed-Use Development

The Fuji Xerox Towers will be redeveloped into a mixed-use development by City Developments Limited.

tanjong pagar collapse development — Image: newportresidencessg.com

The redeveloped property will become a mixed-use property called the Newport Plaza. It will come with office spaces, 198 serviced apartments and a condo with 247 units.

Registration of interest for Newport residences has already started.

3. Search and Rescue Operations Lasted For 20 Hours; 1 Worker Found Dead

The SCDF was alerted to the collapse in Tanjong Pagar at 2 pm on 15 June 2023. The operation lasted until 8 am on 16 June 2023, according to SCDF’s Facebook post.

At 4 pm on 15 June 2023, SCDF said that one worker was reported missing. At around 6 pm, they spotted the worker, a 20-year-old Indian national, pinned under the reinforced concrete structure.

The worker wasn’t breathing, nor did he have a pulse.

They only managed to extract him at 9:45 pm, almost four hours after spotting him.

The team had to dig tunnels and navigate carefully under the structural instability. The medic pronounced the worker dead at the scene.

Regardless, despite having all workers accounted for, SCDF continued their search and rescue operations “to be certain” that no one else is left trapped in the Tanjong Pagar building collapse.

4. Who Were Involved in the Operation?

This was a team effort, not just within SCDF but with external parties as well.

Through CCTV footage obtained by the police from surrounding buildings and heavy machinery present on-site, as well as the use of search dogs and fibre optics, SCDF eventually confirmed that no signs of life were detected in the rubble.

Specifically, the SCDF thanked the Building and Construction Authority (BCA), the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) for their assistance and ground coordination.

These, they mentioned, helped facilitated SCDF’s entire search operation.

5. Investigations Ongoing But Demolition Work Singled Out

A stop work order has been issued by the BCA and MOM. While investigations are ongoing work in the project has to come to a stop.

On Thursday evening, MOM and BCA said a reinforced concrete wall measuring 10m by 3.8m fell onto the street during demolition work.

Demolition work must be planned properly, the statement says.

This includes a demolition strategy and demolishing from the top down to reduce the risk of large structures collapsing.

6. Reactions of Companies Involved in the Incident

City Developments Limited told ST that it is in contact with its contractors to offer any assistance required. It is also cooperating fully with the authorities.

Woh Hup, the occupier of the work site, says it is working closely with the authorities to investigate the situation.

It has also got into contact with the deceased worker’s family to offer its condolences.

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from Aik Sun says it needed time to find out what caused the collapse.

According to reports, a previous post viewed on Aik Sun’s Facebook page stated that the structural demolition of Fuji Xerox Towers began on February 2023.

However, the demolition company has since taken down all of its posts from its Facebook page, including the post detailing the start of the Fuji Xerox Towers demolition.

7. Nearby Workers Could Feel The Tremors

A 58-year-old man who was in a meeting with three other colleagues said he could feel the tremors when the building structure collapsed.

His office is located a mere three-minute walk from the scene.

According to him, it felt like an “earthquake”.

Another worker working at Napolizz Plaza said she didn’t feel any tremors, likely because they are located on the first floor. Tenants in the levels above, however, said they’ve felt shakes and heard a loud bang.

As for her, she and her colleagues only knew something was wrong when they saw police cars arrive and officers running towards the construction site.