Singapore flags flown at half-mast for Malaysia quake victims

 

Singapore, June 8  Flags were flown at half-mast here on Monday as the country mourned the deaths on Malaysia's Mount Kinabalu following a 5.9 magnitude earthquake that hit Sabah state on June 5.

Monday was named a day of national remembrance for six Tanjong Katong primary school students, their teacher Sebastian Terence Loo, and adventure guide, Muhammad Daanish, The Straits Times reported.

The students are: Peony Wee Ying Ping, Ameer Ryyan bin Mohd Adeed Sanjay, Emilie Giovanna Ramu, Matahom Karyl Mitzi Higuit, Rachel Ho Yann Shiuan and Sonia Jhala.

The bodies of the victims were flown back on Sunday night on a Republic of Singapore Airforce C-130 aircraft.

On Monday morning, Ameer and Daanish were laid to rest.

A minute of silence was observed at the beginning of the day at all South East Asian Games venues.

"We hope that this collective expression of sympathy and support from all Singaporeans will give solace and comfort to the families and loved ones of the victims," a statement from the Prime Minister's Office said.

Many people posted messages of condolences online and changed their profile pictures on social media to a white rose on a black background or a black lion crest.

One more pupil, Navdeep Singh Jaryal and a teacher, Mohammad Ghazi Bin Mohamed, are still missing.