PHNOM PENH: The bodies of all five Singaporeans were recovered
from the Tonle Sap River in Cambodia's capital Phnom Penh on Sunday
morning, following an accident involving a Singapore dragon boat
team.
They have been identified as 20-year-old Chee Wei Cheng,
24-year-old Jeremy Goh Tze Xiong, 31-year-old Stephen Loh Soon Ann,
23-year-old Reuben Kee En Rui and 27-year-old Poh Boon San.
Their family members are presently in Cambodia.
The Foreign Affairs Ministry and Singapore's embassy in Cambodia
will make the necessary arrangements for the repatriation of the
bodies to Singapore.
The five men went missing after their boat capsized as it tried to
dock on the Tonle Sap River after competing in a race during the
water festival.
A holding area was set up outside the mortuary at the Calmette
Hospital where the bodies were brought to.
Earlier, emotions ran high when family members went to identify the
bodies.
The Singapore ambassador to Cambodia, Tan Yee Woan, and the
president of the Dragonboat Association, Kwek Siew Jin, were on
hand to render support to family members.
"We have provided facilities to try to help the families through
this very trying time. I understand that they are in a very
difficult situation. With the help of our ambassador here and the
other embassy staff, together with support from many ministries
back home, we will make all necessary travel arrangements," said Mr
Kwek.
Deputy Secretary-General of Cambodia's National Disaster Management
Team, Nhim Vanda, laid wreaths and offered prayers for the victims
earlier in the day.
Cambodian Tourism Minister Thong Khon also came to render help to
the families of the victims.
A representative from the Indonesian dragon boat team offered
wreaths for the deceased as well. He said the Indonesian team was
saddened by the accident and added that the dragon boat teams from
various countries are actually one big family.
More than 200 Cambodian navy sailors and fishermen, joined by seven
divers and a medic from Singapore, scoured the river over the
weekend in search for the missing men.
The Singapore boat was carrying 22 men when it capsized. Seventeen
Singaporeans were also injured in the accident, which happened on
the first day of races.
These members are expected to fly home on Monday morning as
scheduled.
Singapore's foreign ministry said in a statement that Cambodian
Prime Minister Hun Sen had written to Prime Minister Lee Hsien
Loong to convey his "shock and sadness".
- CNA/ir/so
http://www.channelnewsasia.com/stories/singaporelocalnews/view/313592/1/.html