Grace Fu Apologises for Tanjong Katong Sinkhole; Thanks Rescuers

The sinkhole that formed in Tanjong Katong Road South should not have happened, said Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu, who apologised for what she described as a serious incident.

- Esther Loi

"On behalf of the Ministry of Sustainability and the Environment and PUB, I would like to extend my sincere apology to the injured driver for the injury suffered as well as for going through a harrowing experience," she told reporters on the evening of July 29.

The sinkhole was located near a PUB construction site for sewer laying works.

Ms Fu, whose ministry oversees PUB, the national water agency, also apologised to members of the public and residents in the vicinity of the sinkhole for the anxiety and unease the incident caused, as well as to motorists and commuters inconvenienced by the road closure and diversion.

She said she has instructed her ministry to form an internal investigation panel to look into what caused the sinkhole. This will take several months.

The panel will comprise very experienced people with various expertise, she added.

She said the panel will also make recommendations on how to prevent similar incidents from happening.

When asked if a reported burst water pipe nearby on July 25 could be linked to the sinkhole occurring the following evening, she said all the available evidence will be studied and the findings reported.