View source for Sabah earthquake TKPS tragedy (2015)


On 5 June 2015, an earthquake with a magnitude of 6.0 struck Sabah, Malaysia.<ref>“Sabah quake: Timeline of tragedy for Singapore students caught in deadly Mount Kinabalu landslide”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 7, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/sabah-quake-timeline-of-tragedy-for-singapore-students-caught-in-deadly-mount-kinabalu</ref> The tremors led to landslides and falling rocks on Mount Kinabalu, affecting the climbers on the mountain. According to a report by The Straits Times on 10 June 2015, a total of 7 students, 2 teachers and 1 adventure guide had succumbed to serious injuries sustained from the earthquake. They were a part of the group of 29 students and 8 teachers from Tanjong Katong Primary School.<ref>“Sabah quake: Death toll rises to 18; Malaysia to end search and rescue ops”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 10, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/sabah-quake-death-toll-rises-to-18-malaysia-to-end-search-and-rescue-ops</ref>

==Details of incident==
[[File:Mount Kinabalu Via Ferrata.png|link=|thumb|''The Via Ferrata 'Walk the Torq' route that the group took on Mount Kinabalu is highlighted in green''. ''Graphic from mountkinabalu.com.'']]
[[File:Sabah quake tribute climb.jpg|link=|thumb|''Participants of the tribute climb in 2016. Photo from Twitter user Melanie Oliveiro, credits to Lenny Matnor.'']]
A group of 29 students and 8 teachers from Tanjong Katong Primary School (TKPS) were in Sabah, Malaysia to climb Mount Kinabalu as part of the ‘Omega Challenge’. According to then TKPS principal Caroline Wu, the ‘Omega Challenge’ was a “key leadership training programme” for student and co-curricular activity leaders in Primary 6 that had been organised annually for 7 years prior to the incident.<ref>Lee, Pearl. “Mt Kinabalu excluded from TKPS' leadership activities”. ''The Straits Times.'' November 20, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/education/mt-kinabalu-excluded-from-tkps-leadership-activities</ref>


At 4.30 am on 5 June 2015, 23 students and 8 teachers began trekking to the start of the Via Ferrata 'Walk the Torq' route, which they would use to reach the summit of Mount Kinabalu.<ref>“Sabah quake: Bodies of 5 Tanjong Katong Primary pupils, 1 teacher flown back”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 7, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sabah-quake-bodies-of-5-tanjong-katong-primary-pupils-1-teacher-flown-back</ref> 6 students stayed behind at the accommodation as they were not feeling well that day.<ref>“Ministerial Statement on Sabah Earthquake”. ''Ministry of Education.'' July 13, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/ministerial-statement-on-sabah-earthquake</ref> Via Ferrata is Italian for ‘Iron Road’ and the mountain route consisted of ladders and bridges held together by fixed cables.<ref>“Sabah quake: Bodies of 5 Tanjong Katong Primary pupils, 1 teacher flown back”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 7, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sabah-quake-bodies-of-5-tanjong-katong-primary-pupils-1-teacher-flown-back</ref> The group was split into 5 smaller teams that began trekking up the route at intervals.


The first team set out at 7.00am. When the earthquake struck at 7.15am, 3 teams were already on the route. The 3 teams consisted of about 12 to 15 pupils, 5 teachers and at least 3 adventure guides.<ref>“Sabah quake: Bodies of 5 Tanjong Katong Primary pupils, 1 teacher flown back”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 7, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sabah-quake-bodies-of-5-tanjong-katong-primary-pupils-1-teacher-flown-back</ref> The other 2 teams were about to start their trek when the earthquake struck. According to various students accounts, the teachers had attempted to shield the students from falling debris.<ref>“Ministerial Statement on Sabah Earthquake”. ''Ministry of Education.'' July 13, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/ministerial-statement-on-sabah-earthquake</ref> After the tremors stopped, the teachers ensured that the students were not hurt and began to evacuate the students with the help of the adventure guides.<ref>“Sabah quake: Bodies of 5 Tanjong Katong Primary pupils, 1 teacher flown back”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 7, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sabah-quake-bodies-of-5-tanjong-katong-primary-pupils-1-teacher-flown-back</ref>

==Rescue operations==
On 5 June 2015, the Crisis Response Team from Singapore's Ministry of Foreign Affairs reached Kota Kinabalu by 8 pm and helped to coordinate the rescue operation for Singaporeans in the area who had been affected by the earthquake.<ref>“Ministerial Statement on Sabah Earthquake”. ''Ministry of Education.'' July 13, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/ministerial-statement-on-sabah-earthquake</ref>


On 6 June 2015, Singapore's Ministry of Education flew concerned parents and a “multi-agency delegation, together with several counsellors and TKPS teachers” to Kota Kinabalu.<ref>“Ministerial Statement on Sabah Earthquake”. ''Ministry of Education.'' July 13, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/ministerial-statement-on-sabah-earthquake</ref> Later in the afternoon, 19 TKPS students who were unhurt or suffered minimal injuries returned to Singapore. 3 others who had suffered more severe injuries stayed in Kota Kinabalu to recuperate in the hospital.<ref>“Ministerial Statement on Sabah Earthquake”. ''Ministry of Education.'' July 13, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/ministerial-statement-on-sabah-earthquake</ref> The 3 were flown back to Singapore on 7 and 8 June 2015. 2 of them were students and the other was a teacher, Mohamed Faizal Abdul Salam, who had used his body to shield the children from the falling boulders.<ref>Tai, Janice. “Sabah quake: 2 injured Tanjong Katong Primary pupils back in Singapore”. ''The Straits Times''. June 7, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sabah-quake-2-injured-tanjong-katong-primary-pupils-back-in-singapore</ref>


Fuchun and Greenridge Secondary School students were also at Mount Kinabalu when the earthquake had occurred. The 26 students and 4 teachers from Fuchun and the 32 students and 4 teachers from Greenridge were all flown safely back to Singapore on 6 June 2015.<ref>“Sabah quake: Students would not have started the trek if quake started '15 to 30 minutes earlier'”. ''The Straits Times''. June 7, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/sabah-quake-students-would-not-have-started-the-trek-if-quake-started-15-to-30-minutes</ref>


On 7 June 2015, the Ministry of Education released the names of the identified Singaporean fatalities. They are as follows:<ref>Lee, Pearl. “Sabah quake: Hopes dashed as missing S'poreans are identified”. ''My Paper''. June 11, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.asiaone.com/singapore/sabah-quake-hopes-dashed-missing-sporeans-are-identified</ref>

*Ameer Ryyan bin Mohd Adeed Sanjay (TKPS student)
*Emilie Giovanna Ramu (TKPS student)
*Matahom Karyl Mitzi Higuit (TKPS student)
*Rachel Ho Yann Shiuan (TKPS student)
*Sonia Jhala (TKPS student)
*Peony Wee Ying Ping (TKPS student)
*Loo Jian Liang Terrence Sebastian (TKPS teacher)
*Muhammad Daanish bin Amran (Adventure guide)


On 7 June 2015, two Singaporeans were still reported missing. They were TKPS student Navdeep Singh Jaryal S/O Raj Kumar and TKPS teacher Mohammad Ghazi Bin Mohamed. Rescue operations were paused on 8 June 2015 due to a heavy fog which was deemed dangerous for the rescue workers.<ref>“Sabah quake: Search for missing Singaporeans halted due to heavy fog”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 8, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/asia/se-asia/sabah-quake-search-for-missing-singaporeans-halted-due-to-heavy-fog</ref>


On 10 June 2015, the families of the two missing Singaporeans were notified that their loved ones had passed away after rescue workers discovered their remains and identified them through fingerprinting.<ref>Lee, Min Kok. “Sabah quake: Dead Tanjong Katong Primary pupil and teacher identified through fingerprinting and personal belongings”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 10, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sabah-quake-dead-tanjong-katong-primary-pupil-and-teacher-identified-through</ref> Their bodies were returned to Singapore on 19 June 2015.<ref>“Sabah quake: Remains of last two S’poreans return to S'pore”. ''Today Online.'' June 19, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/sabah-quake-remains-last-two-sporeans-return-afternoon</ref>

==Memorials==
[[File:Tharman Shanmugaratnam condolence site.jpg|link=|thumb|''Minister Tharman Shanmugaratnam's condolence note at the TKPS site. Photo from The Straits Times.'']]
A condolence site was set up at Tanjong Katong Primary School from 7 June to 11 June 2015 for members of the public to pen down their well wishes and messages for the victims of the Sabah earthquake. Team Singapore athletes, then President Tony Tan, as well as then Minister for Education Heng Swee Kiat were among those who visited the site.<ref>Yang, Calvin. “Sabah quake: SEA Games athletes, ministers, students and public visit condolence site at Tanjong Katong Primary School”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 8, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sabah-quake-sea-games-athletes-ministers-students-and-public-visit-condolence-site-at</ref> Another condolence site was set up from 8 June to 15 June 2015 at First Toa Payoh Secondary School which was the alma mater of Muhammad Daanish Amran, the adventure guide who died from the incident.<ref>Lee, Pearl. “Sabah quake: First Toa Payoh Secondary opens condolence site for Singapore guide Daanish Amran”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 8, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sabah-quake-first-toa-payoh-secondary-opens-condolence-site-for-singapore-guide-daanish</ref>


On 8 June 2015, all flags were flown at half-mast at government buildings and a minute of silence was observed at the SEA games venues in remembrance of the Sabah earthquake victims. The day was declared a “Day of National Remembrance” by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong.<ref>Chew, Hui Min. “Sabah quake: Loved ones bid goodbye to Mount Kinabalu victims, as Singapore marks day of national remembrance”. ''The Straits Times.'' June 8, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/sabah-quake-loved-ones-bid-goodbye-to-mount-kinabalu-victims-as-singapore-marks-day-of</ref>

==Ministry of Education response==
In a ministerial statement addressing the Sabah earthquake incident, then Minister for Education Heng Swee Kiat assured that MOE will explore better contingency plans in the event of natural disasters during schools' overseas learning journeys.<ref>“Ministerial Statement on Sabah Earthquake”. ''Ministry of Education.'' July 13, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/ministerial-statement-on-sabah-earthquake</ref> He also asserted that school trips to Mount Kinabalu will be prohibited until it has been declared safe by Malaysian authorities.
[[File:Tony Tan Condolence Site.jpg|link=|thumb|''Former president Tony Tan and Mary Tan's handwritten note at the TKPS condolence site. Photo from the Straits Times.'']]


Minister Heng Swee Kiat also announced the launch of the 'Sabah Earthquake Fund' in support of the families who had been affected by the incident.<ref>“Ministerial Statement on Sabah Earthquake”. ''Ministry of Education.'' July 13, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/ministerial-statement-on-sabah-earthquake</ref> The fund would serve as financial assistance to the families of the two Singaporean teachers and one instructor who had lost their lives. The Mountain Torq trainers and Sabah guides would also be given a portion of the funds as some had lost their lives and others had their livelihood destroyed by the earthquake.<ref>“Ministerial Statement on Sabah Earthquake”. ''Ministry of Education.'' July 13, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/parliamentary-replies/ministerial-statement-on-sabah-earthquake</ref>

==Awards and recognition==
On 9 August 2015, a total of 16 National Day awards were presented to the teachers and adventure guides who had protected the TKPS students during the earthquake.<ref>“Sabah quake heroes receive posthumous National Day Awards”. ''The New Paper.'' August 9, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore-news/sabah-quake-heroes-receive-posthumous-national-day-awards</ref> 5 of the awards were awarded posthumously, with 2 of the awards given to the Malaysian trainers Ricky Masirin and Valerian Joannes. The other 3 awards were given to Singaporean teachers Terrance Sebastian Loo and Mohammad Ghazi, as well as the Singaporean adventure guide Muhammad Daanish Amran.<ref>“Sabah quake heroes receive posthumous National Day Awards”. ''The New Paper.'' August 9, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.tnp.sg/news/singapore-news/sabah-quake-heroes-receive-posthumous-national-day-awards</ref>


On 19 November 2015, the 22 surviving TKPS students were presented with the ‘Braveheart Award’ by their school in recognition of their courage and resilience. TKPS Principal Caroline Wu announced that the 'Omega Challenge' would continue. However, she explained that it would no longer be conducted in the form of a mountain climbing programme.<ref>Siau, Ming En. “Student survivors of Sabah quake awarded for their bravery.<nowiki>''</nowiki>. ''Today Online.'' November 19, 2015. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/tkps-hands-out-awards-courage-shown-sabah-quake</ref>

==Tribute climb (2016)==
On 2 June 2016, a group of 20 former TKPS students and family members of the victims arrived in Sabah. Over the next 3 days, they fulfilled the incomplete agenda of the TKPS students who were in Sabah the previous year by donating books to the children living on Mount Kinabalu. They also held a tree-planting memorial.<ref>Cunico, Kane. “Parents, survivors hold emotional Sabah Quake memorial on Mount Kinabalu”. ''Channel News Asia.'' June 5, 2016. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/parents-survivors-hold-emotional-sabah-quake-memorial-on-mount-k-7954590</ref>


On 5 June 2016, exactly one year after the Sabah earthquake, the group gathered at Pendant Hut at Panalaban Base Camp on Mount Kinabalu to hold a memorial service for those who died in the incident.<ref>Cunico, Kane. “Parents, survivors hold emotional Sabah Quake memorial on Mount Kinabalu”. ''Channel News Asia.'' June 5, 2016. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/parents-survivors-hold-emotional-sabah-quake-memorial-on-mount-k-7954590</ref> They had trekked for 15 hours prior to their arrival at the hut. The group lit candles, placed flowers and painted stones which represented each of the 10 victims who had perished. They then observed a minute of silence at exactly 7.15 am - the time when the earthquake occurred, and read out messages penned by the students, parents and teachers in memory of those who passed away.<ref>Cunico, Kane. “Parents, survivors hold emotional Sabah Quake memorial on Mount Kinabalu”. ''Channel News Asia.'' June 5, 2016. Accessed on 25 March 2019. Retrieved from:  https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/parents-survivors-hold-emotional-sabah-quake-memorial-on-mount-k-7954590</ref> After the ceremony, the group completed the final leg of their trek to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. The video of the memorial ceremony was posted by Channel News Asia on their Facebook page ([https://www.facebook.com/ChannelNewsAsia/videos/10153674989702934/ Memorial ceremony video]).

==References / Citations==
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[[Category:Newsworthy Incidents]]