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Singapore bus death triggers riot | Singapore bus death triggers riot |
(about 3 hours later) | |
Police in Singapore have arrested 27 South Asian suspects after hundreds of people took part in a riot sparked by the death of an Indian national. | Police in Singapore have arrested 27 South Asian suspects after hundreds of people took part in a riot sparked by the death of an Indian national. |
Trouble started after the 33-year-old man was knocked down by a private bus in a district known as Little India. | Trouble started after the 33-year-old man was knocked down by a private bus in a district known as Little India. |
About 400 foreign workers took to the streets, hurling railings at police and torching police cars and an ambulance. | About 400 foreign workers took to the streets, hurling railings at police and torching police cars and an ambulance. |
At least 18 people were hurt, most of them police officers, before the violence was brought under control. | At least 18 people were hurt, most of them police officers, before the violence was brought under control. |
Police commissioner Ng Joo Hee said it was the first rioting in Singapore in more than 30 years. | Police commissioner Ng Joo Hee said it was the first rioting in Singapore in more than 30 years. |
He condemned it as "intolerable, wanton violence". "It is not the Singapore way," he added. | He condemned it as "intolerable, wanton violence". "It is not the Singapore way," he added. |
The outbreak of public disorder is rare in strictly-governed Singapore. | The outbreak of public disorder is rare in strictly-governed Singapore. |
The wealthy city-state depends heavily on foreign workers, with migrant labourers from South Asia dominating sectors like construction. | The wealthy city-state depends heavily on foreign workers, with migrant labourers from South Asia dominating sectors like construction. |
Many congregate in Little India on Sundays to shop, drink and socialise. | Many congregate in Little India on Sundays to shop, drink and socialise. |
'Criminal behaviour' | 'Criminal behaviour' |
Pictures and videos posted in social media showed two police cars being overturned by the mob. Several private vehicles were also damaged. | Pictures and videos posted in social media showed two police cars being overturned by the mob. Several private vehicles were also damaged. |
A statement from Singapore's Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that emergency services were alerted to a road accident at 21:25 (13:25 GMT). | A statement from Singapore's Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that emergency services were alerted to a road accident at 21:25 (13:25 GMT). |
"Upon arrival, there was a man trapped under a bus. An SCDF paramedic pronounced him dead on arrival. SCDF rescuers extricated the body using hydraulic rescue equipment." | "Upon arrival, there was a man trapped under a bus. An SCDF paramedic pronounced him dead on arrival. SCDF rescuers extricated the body using hydraulic rescue equipment." |
"Projectiles were thrown at the SCDF rescuers while they were extricating the body." | "Projectiles were thrown at the SCDF rescuers while they were extricating the body." |
Nine SCDF vehicles were damaged in the incident, including five which were burned, it said. | Nine SCDF vehicles were damaged in the incident, including five which were burned, it said. |
Rioting in Singapore is punishable by up to seven years in prison plus caning. | Rioting in Singapore is punishable by up to seven years in prison plus caning. |
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that "whatever events may have sparked the rioting, there is no excuse for such violent, destructive, and criminal behaviour". | Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said that "whatever events may have sparked the rioting, there is no excuse for such violent, destructive, and criminal behaviour". |
"We will spare no effort to identify the culprits and deal with them with the full force of the law," he said in a statement. | "We will spare no effort to identify the culprits and deal with them with the full force of the law," he said in a statement. |
The Indian High Commission said in a statement that it was "in constant touch with the Singapore authorities to ascertain the facts of the incidents" and would "provide all assistance to affected Indian nationals." | |
"We hope all parties will maintain calm," it added. | |
Singapore relies on foreign workers to fill labourer vacancies in low-paid sectors like construction. Most are young men who come from India and Bangladesh, and live in dormitories while they work and send money home. | Singapore relies on foreign workers to fill labourer vacancies in low-paid sectors like construction. Most are young men who come from India and Bangladesh, and live in dormitories while they work and send money home. |
Little India, a popular area of South Asian restaurants and shops, is where many of these labourers congregate when they have a day off. | Little India, a popular area of South Asian restaurants and shops, is where many of these labourers congregate when they have a day off. |
Last year, a strike by mainland Chinese bus drivers shone a spotlight on the low wages paid to some migrant workers and the conditions in which some live. | Last year, a strike by mainland Chinese bus drivers shone a spotlight on the low wages paid to some migrant workers and the conditions in which some live. |
Four of the drivers, who complained they were paid less than their Singaporean counterparts, and at the state of their employer-provided accommodation, were jailed. | Four of the drivers, who complained they were paid less than their Singaporean counterparts, and at the state of their employer-provided accommodation, were jailed. |