Thousands gather in Marina Bay to celebrate new year

As fireworks exploded at midnight over the Esplanade Bridge in the Marina Bay area, welcoming 2023, Mr Leon Lai rose to his feet with his five-month-old daughter on his shoulders.

- Osmond Chia

Starting a new family was the highlight of 2022 for Mr Lai, 30, and he hopes the new year will be a more peaceful one, with the coronavirus in retreat.

Mr Lai and his family were among thousands of revellers crammed on the Esplanade Bridge to the Merlion Park on Saturday night.

Revellers gathered there well ahead of midnight to secure a spot on the bridge, to get a clear view of the fireworks and drone display above the bay.

The bridge was closed off to vehicles to allow people to walk about freely.

The Straits Times observed that most revellers on the bridge were orderly, with many settling in pockets of space there to catch the fireworks.

Some, though, climbed onto the ledges to get a better view of the festivities.

Mr Howard Tan, 39, took his wife and children aged seven, eight and 12 to the Marina Bay area to watch the drone and fireworks displays near The Float @ Marina Bay.