Police & SCDF deploy divers in search of man who died in suspected drowning at East Coast Park

A man has died following a suspected drowning incident at East Coast Park, after the police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) carried out an extensive search operation lasting more than six hours.

Source: 南洋咸鱼煲 on Xiaohongshu

SCDF told MS News that they responded to a call for water rescue assistance at about 12pm on 21 Dec.

Upon arrival, firefighters conducted a visual search from the shoreline, while marine firefighters searched the surrounding waters on board a Marine Rescue Vessel.

Divers from SCDF’s Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) were also deployed to conduct an underwater search in the area where the person was last seen.

Translation: A diver is going underwater. Source: 南洋咸鱼煲 on Xiaohongshu

At around 6.40pm, SCDF rescuers retrieved a body from the shoreline. An SCDF paramedic pronounced the 28-year-old man dead at the scene.

Passer-by spots divers & marine vessel at East Coast Park

A Xiaohongshu user shared a post at around 3.09pm on the same day, showing police cars and SCDF emergency vehicles lined up at East Coast Park at about 2pm.

Source: 南洋咸鱼煲 on Xiaohongshu

According to the user, the police had cordoned off a large area, prompting confusion about what had happened.

She said she saw police officers and SCDF personnel stationed along the shore, with divers in the water and a Marine Rescue Vessel visible further out at sea.

Translation: It looks like a police vessel. Source: 南洋咸鱼煲 on Xiaohongshu

Paramedics were also seen preparing a stretcher nearby, while another diver stood close to several large air tanks.

Source: 南洋咸鱼煲 on Xiaohongshu

Later that night, a commenter under the post claimed to have seen police bringing a body to shore and speculated that a drowning had occurred.

Translation: It’s because someone drowned and died, very sad. I saw the police bringing him to shore. Source: 南洋咸鱼煲 on Xiaohongshu

The police told MS News that preliminary investigations do not suspect foul play. Investigations are ongoing.

Also read: 62-year-old man dies in alleged drowning at East Coast Park, no foul play suspected

62-year-old man dies in alleged drowning at East Coast Park, no foul play suspected

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Featured image adapted from 南洋咸鱼煲 on Xiaohongshu.

Article written by:

Ethan Oh

Ethan Oh