Engineering manager dies of injuries 3 days after blast in switchgear room at Tuas incineration plant

SINGAPORE — A National Environment Agency (NEA) officer died of his injuries on Sunday (Sept 26) morning, the second fatality from the explosion in an electrical switchgear room at Tuas incineration plant on Thursday.

The officer, an executive engineering manager, was in the switchgear room with two others when the blast happened.

The first fatality, a senior engineering manager, was pronounced dead at the scene on Thursday by a Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) paramedic.

"The third officer, our engineering manager, continues to be given medical care in the hospital’s intensive care unit," said NEA, which operates the incineration plant.

Minister for Sustainability and the Environment Grace Fu said on Thursday that all three officers are Singaporeans.

The agency said it has been in daily contact with the officers' families to provide assistance.

"All three NEA officers who were in the switchgear room are senior members of the plant’s electrical maintenance branch, each with more than 35 years in service, and have contributed at (Tuas incineration plant) for many years," said NEA in its update on Sunday.

The plant's operations have been wound down since Thursday after the incident.

NEA said it is working closely with the Ministry of Manpower, SCDF, other technical agencies, as well as engineering experts to investigate the cause of the blast.

"Investigations are ongoing and more information will be made known once investigations are concluded," it added. CNA

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