A statement from the Ministry of Education (MOE) said: “We are
deeply saddened to inform that the Malaysian authorities have
retrieved the body of a 12-year-old female, which has been verified
by the next-of-kin as Wee Ying Ping Peony from Tanjong Katong
Primary School. MOE and other government officials are in Kota
Kinabalu, and will provide assistance and support to Peony’s family
during this difficult period.”
A total of 29 pupils and eight teachers from the school were at
Mount Kinabalu on an overseas learning journey when the quake
struck on Friday.
Most of the pupils and teachers have returned to Singapore, others
will do so on Saturday evening.
The first batch of pupils and teachers, who touched down on
Saturday afternoon, were ushered into a private holding room at
Changi Airport where their families were waiting. Tears of relief
were shed and the children were seen hugging their parents.
At least one pupil was on a wheelchair with his leg in a cast.
TKPS principal Caroline Wu said at the airport: "On the ground,
there have been MOE care officers rendering support to the students
and teachers coming back as well as their families.
"With regard to those who are not accounted for yet, we are still
doing our utmost best working with MOE and relevant ministries to
reach out to them."
Another two pupils and one teacher, who require more medical
attention, will be returning on air ambulances later on
Saturday.
Three other teachers will remain in Kota Kinabalu to continue
working with the onsite team and to look after a 12-year-old pupil
who is receiving medical treatment in Kota Kinabalu.
Malaysian paper The Star quoted a pupil from TKPS on the scene
during the quake. Amal Ashley Lim, 12, told the paper that keeping
calm as the rocks rained down on her group near the summit saved
her life.
A teacher bundled her and several other students under a shallow
overhang for protection. They watched helplessly as some of her
other schoolmates were struck by the falling rocks.
As they sheltered under the overhang, her friend started
crying.
"I did my best to calm her."
When a teacher who went to look for the others did not come back
after 15 minutes, Ashley started shouting for help. Her cries were
heard by their guide James Michael who led her and her friends to
safety.
Ashley was among the first in the group to complete the trek at
about 7.15am, said The Star.
According to the Malaysian paper, efforts to bring down the bodies
of climbers from Mount Kinabalu are being hampered as some are
crushed and pinned under rocks and boulders.
"Many attempts had to be made to fly out the bodies," said a
rescuer. So far, 11 bodies have been flown down from the mountain
top to the base camp.
- ST