Singapore, 27 July 2025 - Following the sinkhole incident, recovery works are underway, and efforts are being taken to ensure public and site safety. Building and Construction Authority (BCA), Land Transport Authority (LTA) and National water agency PUB are working closely to oversee the repair efforts and to investigate what contributed to the sinkhole incident.
To ensure public safety, PUB has worked closely with LTA and the Singapore Police Force (SPF) to cordon off the affected area and restrict access to traffic and pedestrians.
The site of the sinkhole is adjacent to an active PUB construction site along Tanjong Katong Road South, where sewer-laying works are ongoing.
The works at the site involve the construction of a 16-metre deep shaft to connect three existing sewer lines. The shaft has been backfilled to stabilise the surrounding ground.
A ground penetrating radar (GPR) scan and analysis is still being carried out to assess the surrounding area.
Engineers from BCA have checked and affirmed that nearby structures, including One Amber condominium and the landed homes across the road, are not affected by the incident.
PUB began pumping water out of the sinkhole from 9:45am, and this was completed by 1:20pm. The vehicle that had fallen into the sinkhole was retrieved at 2:00pm.
The sinkhole has been filled with liquefied stabilised soil (LSS) to further stabilise the area, after which road reinstatement works will commence.
As a precautionary measure, PUB will be calling a safety time-out to review and ensure the safety of similar sewer construction works across Singapore.
Tanjong Katong Road South between Mountbatten Road and East Coast Parkway will remain closed to facilitate ongoing repair works. Motorists and commuters are advised to plan their routes in advance and expect possible delays during the weekday peak periods.
We seek the public’s understanding and apologise for the inconvenience caused. Further updates will be provided on the progress of works and when the affected road can be reopened.
Sequence of Observed Events
At around 5:50pm on 26 July (Saturday), a caisson ring in the shaft under construction at the PUB worksite was observed to have failed. It is still not clear what contributed to this failure.
At around the same time, a sinkhole formed on the adjacent road.
One vehicle travelling along the road at that point fell into the sinkhole. The driver managed to exit the vehicle on her own.
With assistance from workers on site, she was brought to safety within five minutes of the incident. She was later conveyed to hospital by the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) for medical attention.
Soon after, at around 6pm, a disruption to water supply in the vicinity was observed, affecting 18 households. Preliminary findings suggest that the water mains may have been damaged as a result of ground movement associated with the sinkhole.
The affected pipes were isolated, and water supply was fully restored by 2:30am this morning.
The damage to the water pipes had contributed to the filling of water in the sinkhole. This ceased once the mains were shut off.
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