SINGAPORE — A false ceiling in North Coast Lodge Dormitory that houses migrant workers collapsed following stormy weather on Sunday (Sept 25), with two residents sustaining minor injuries.

Around 100 residents in the affected rooms have been relocated temporarily to other rooms while repairs are ongoing, the Ministry of Manpower (MOM) said in response to TODAY’s queries.

It said that it is investigating the collapse of “the false ceiling within seven rooms”.

The dormitory is located about a 10-minute drive from Woodlands Checkpoint.

MOM said that the collapse happened after “heavy rain and strong winds” and two other rooms sustained damage from mild water leakage.

The two residents with minor cuts received medical treatment promptly, it added.

A video showing the aftermath of the incident is circulating on social media.

In it, ceiling boards are strewn on the floor of a room, with several dormitory residents looking around and clearing away items.

MOM said that officers from the Forward Assurance and Support Team have been deployed to the dormitory. Personnel from this team look into all aspects of migrant workers’ well-being, from availability of food and maintenance of hygiene to facilitating their medical care and remittance needs.

"We are working with the dormitory operator to support affected migrant worker residents," MOM added.

NOTICE TO MAINTAIN ISSUED

Responding to queries from TODAY, a Building and Construction Authority (BCA) spokesperson said on Wednesday that the dormitory’s operator Crest Industrial Holdings has been issued with a "notice to maintain" under the Building Maintenance and Strata Management Act.

A notice to maintain requires the dormitory operator to appoint a professional engineer to carry out a detailed review of the cause of the incident and recommend rectification measures.

“BCA understands that the dormitory operator has already appointed a professional engineer,” said the spokesperson, adding that the authority will review the findings before the rectification works are carried out.

TODAY has reached out to North Coast Lodge Dormitory for comment.