A 38-year-old Indian national was killed in a fire incident at an industrial site in Singapore.
New Delhi: At least 38 people were killed in a Singapore factory fire A 38-year-old Indian national was also killed in the fire incident at an industrial site in Singapore, becoming the 46th workplace fatality of the year and the most since 2016 in the city-state.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) announced on Saturday that preliminary investigations indicate that the fire started at the 21 Tuas Avenue 3 site on Friday morning was brought on by the uncontrolled release of acetylene, a combustible gas, from cylinders on the property.
The identity of the Indian national who died in the fire has not been revealed.
A 43-year-old Chinese national also suffered burn injuries, and he was rushed to Singapore General Hospital.
According to the Ministry of Manpower (MOM), it has directed Asia Technical Gas’ employer and occupier to cease all operations concerning the checking and upkeep of dangerous gas cylinders.
The Straits Times newspaper quoted the ministry as saying that “measures must be put in place while dealing with gas cylinders that contain flammable gases to prevent any accumulation of such gases as well as to ensure that the work environment is free from ignition sources.”
Notably, 66 people lost their lives at work in 2016, and now the year 2022 has recorded the most workplace fatalities.
The ministry has warned employers that worker safety must always come first and that anyone found to have seriously neglected safety will be held accountable.
It added that they might face legal action, stop-work orders, limits on hiring foreign labour, and financial fines.
