Indian worker dies in Singapore shipyard accident

Singapore, Apr 5: Three shipyards workers, including an Indian national, were killed when the boom of a 100-metre long crane collapsed while trying to lift a 185-tonne load at a Singapore shipyard.

Rengan Murugaiyan, a 35-year-old Indian scaffolding installer, died in the accident yesterday at about 0935 hrs.

A 35-year-old steel worker from China, Zhang Wei Jun and a 55-year-old Singapore general worker, Low Chwee Seng, also died in the accident at the PPL Shipyard.

Three workers from Bangladesh were also injured in the accident.

Meanwhile, Singapore's Shipbuilding And Marine Engineering Employees' Union (SMEEU) said it was extremely concerned about the safety, well-being and lives of local and foreign workers in the local marine industry.

It has also called on the Manpower Ministry and employers to take a more rigorous approach towards scrutinising and enhancing workplace safety standards, especially in clearly explaining safety procedures to workers who may not speak local languages.

UNI