This is regardless of whether it turns out to be an "unforeseeable mishap, and individual lapse or a system problem", says Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.
SINGAPORE: Authorities must do their best to prevent a repeat of the SMRT accident which claimed the lives of two maintenance staff said, Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on Tuesday (Mar 22).
"We understand that faults and malfunctions do happen in our train system, and generally take them in our stride. But it is different when two young men lose their lives in a workplace accident," Mr Lee wrote on Facebook.
"Whether it turns out to be an unforeseeable mishap, an individual lapse or a system problem, we must do our best to ensure this does not happen again," he stated.
Earlier that day, Transport Minister Khaw Boon Wan said authorities are gathering details and would look into how safety procedures could be further strengthened. "Meanwhile, our hearts are with the families and will do our best to support and assist them," he added.
Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress (NTUC) Chan Chun Sing said he is "extremely saddened" by the incident.
In a statement on Facebook, he offered condolences to the families of the two victims. "The National Transport Workers' Union will do what is necessary to support affected workers during this difficult time," said Mr Chan, who is also Minister in the Prime Minister's Office. "We must all do our part to keep each other safe at the workplace. Every accident is one accident too many."
Speaking at a Lee Kuan Yew remembrance event hosted by NTUC later that day, Mr Chan said: "We want to know what happened and how it happened, but more importantly, what we must do to prevent such an incident from ever happening again."
Earlier on Tuesday, Executive Secretary of the National Transport Workers' Union Melvin Yong, told reporters while visiting the scene of the accident that union representatives have already visited the affected families.
"At this difficult time, we'll do our best to support the families in whatever way we can," he said, adding that union leaders also approached SMRT workers to offer assistance.
MP for Potong Pasir SMC Sitoh Yih Pin, who is the Chairman of the Government Parliamentary Committee for Transport, also issued a statement calling the accident "extremely unfortunate and deeply regrettable".
He extended his condolences to the affected families and assured that SMRT "has taken immediate steps to ensure the families of the deceased get all the support and assistance they need".
Mr Sitoh urged that as investigations are still ongoing, "speculation about the accident should be kept to a minimum".
In a statement, the opposition Workers' Party offered its "deepest condolences to the families and friends" of the workers, saying it was "greatly saddened" that they had died in the line of duty.
"This accident tragically highlights the hard work that maintenance and service workers put into making our public transport system operate efficient," said media chairperson Daniel Goh.
The Singapore Democratic Party (SDP) also sent its condolences via a Facebook post: "Our thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved." SDP chief Chee Soon Juan said: "As we await updates about what happened, let us hold the families of those killed in our thoughts. My deepest sympathies to them."
News from Channel News Asia
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