Two workers die after platform dislodges and falls into sea at Tuas Port
The workers were carrying out stevedoring work, which involves loading and unloading cargo from ships.
A view of Tuas Port. (File photo: CNA)
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SINGAPORE: Two workers, aged 44 and 33, have died after a platform carrying them fell into the sea at Tuas Port on Tuesday (Sep 22) morning.
In response to CNA's queries, PSA Singapore, which operates the port, said on Wednesday that the incident happened at about 8.40am while the workers were conducting stevedoring work. This involves loading and unloading cargo from ships at ports.
The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) told CNA that the workers had been lifted on a work platform, which dislodged from its crane and fell into the sea.
The 33-year-old was immediately rescued and taken to Ng Teng Fong Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.
The older worker was found in the sea later and pronounced dead at the scene by paramedics from the Singapore Civil Defence Force.
The police said that investigations are ongoing, and they do not suspect foul play for now. MOM is also looking into the incident.
The ministry said: "As a general safety measure, lifting equipment and gear have to be properly maintained and inspected before use, especially if they are used to lift people."
It added that operators of such equipment must comply strictly with operating instructions.
PSA Singapore said that it is working closely with the relevant authorities and providing support to the workers' families.
Workplace fatalities rose to 21 in the first half of 2026, pushing Singapore's annualised fatal injury rate to 1.1 per 100,000 workers.
In June, MOM tightened penalties for companies that flout workplace safety rules after a spate of workplace deaths. Under the stricter measures, such companies face higher fines and longer stop-work orders.
The move came after seven workers died in five separate workplace incidents over four weeks.
