Minister Grace Fu Apologises for Sinkhole Incident Near PUB Site

 

On July 29, 2025, Singapore’s Minister for Sustainability and the Environment, Grace Fu, issued a formal apology in response to a serious sinkhole incident that occurred along Tanjong Katong Road South. The sinkhole, which opened up on the evening of July 26, was near an active construction site managed by PUB, the national water agency under her ministry’s oversight.

The sinkhole appeared suddenly, causing a car to plunge into the ground while a driver was behind the wheel. Fortunately, the driver was rescued with the help of workers on-site and was conscious when conveyed to the hospital. She was reportedly suffering from muscular pain and remains under recovery. The damaged vehicle was retrieved from the sinkhole using a crane on July 27.

Minister Fu described the incident as “serious” and extended her apologies to the injured driver, nearby residents, motorists, and commuters who have been inconvenienced by the road closure. She acknowledged the public anxiety caused by the collapse and expressed deep regret on behalf of both the Ministry and PUB.

She announced that an internal investigation panel will be formed within the ministry to determine the exact cause of the collapse. This panel will include experts from multiple fields and will also provide recommendations to prevent such occurrences in the future. The panel’s work is expected to take several months.

In parallel, the Building and Construction Authority (BCA) will also conduct an independent investigation into the incident. Minister Fu emphasized that PUB would fully cooperate with BCA and that having two separate teams investigating would enable a more comprehensive understanding of the situation.

Preliminary investigations by PUB pointed to a failure in a concrete caisson ring structure located at the adjacent construction site. A caisson ring is a watertight cylindrical structure used to form stable underground foundations. The failure occurred around the same time the sinkhole formed, at approximately 5:50pm on July 26. However, the exact reason for this failure remains unclear.

To ensure public safety, a section of Tanjong Katong Road South between Mountbatten Road and the East Coast Parkway has been closed while authorities carry out thorough safety inspections. Minister Fu stated that while the closure may last “a few more days,” the road will not be reopened until safety is fully assured.

Tests currently underway include ground-penetrating radar to check for voids, metal rod penetration to assess underground density, and acoustic scans to verify stability. The sinkhole has already been filled with liquefied stabilised soil, a mix of soil, cement, and water on July 28 as part of rectification efforts.

In addressing concerns from residents about noise from the ongoing recovery works, Minister Fu acknowledged the disruption but urged for understanding, explaining that working overnight allows for faster resolution. She reaffirmed that the top priority remains public safety.

She also took time to thank two workers, Pitchai Udaiyappan Subbiah and Ganesan Veerasekar, who were instrumental in rescuing the driver from the sinkhole, praising their swift actions during the emergency.

Minister Fu concluded by stating that the ministry is committed to understanding what went wrong and will take all necessary steps to avoid such incidents in the future. Full transparency and public safety remain the guiding principles as investigations proceed.