21-07-2025
'I heard a man screaming': SCDF rescues two workers stranded on gondola outside Raffles City Tower
Two workers were rescued after the gondola they were on tipped over and was suspended almost vertically outside Raffles City Tower on July 21.
The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) said that it responded to the height rescue incident, between the 28th and 29th floors of the building, at about 11.20am.
"Upon arrival, firefighters immediately checked on the gondola's stability, as well as the condition of the workers on the gondola," SCDF said in a Facebook post at about 2pm.
Rescuers from the Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (Dart) had set up rescue equipment on the 29th and 30th floor.
The gondola was then secured with safety lines before a Dart rescuer descended onto the gondola.
The workers, who were wearing body harnesses at the time, were then brought into the building through the windows on levels 29 and 30, SCDF said.
Both workers were assessed by a paramedic and taken to Raffles Hospital in a stable condition, SCDF added.
A Raffles City Singapore spokesperson said initial checks showed that both workers did not have any injuries.
The workers, who were employed by the building's contractor, were carrying out routine facade resealant works when there was a sudden change in weather at 11.20am.
An immediate stop-work order was issued. But while the gondola was being retracted, it tilted to one side.
"Given the weather, it was deemed unsafe to continue straightening and retracting the gondola at that point. All supporting ropes remain intact," the spokesperson said, adding that the workers were moved to safety by about 12.30pm.
When The Straits Times arrived at about 12.30pm, the gondola was seen dangling from the exterior of the building.
Raffles City Tower is a 42-storey office tower that is part of Raffles City.
A police car, an ambulance and an SCDF truck were seen at the scene, with another two SCDF vehicles parked just outside Raffles City Tower.
An eyewitness, who wanted to be known only as Sam, told ST that he was leaving the building at about 11.30am when he heard a loud bang.
The 30-year-old, who works on the 24th floor, said: "I saw the gondola hanging and I heard a man screaming and asking for help. My (colleague) then called the SCDF."
Tourist Jimmy Lin, 30, said that he was at Raffles City when he saw a group of people gathered outside the building taking photos.
"I was wondering what was going on, so I came out to take a look," he said.
A police car, an ambulance and an SCDF truck were seen at Raffles City. Another two SCDF vehicles were parked at the entrance. PHOTO: SCREENGRABS FROM XILEDIXIANGNAIER118118/XIAOHONGSHU
The entrance to Raffles City Tower was cordoned off by security guards.
The Raffles City Singapore spokesperson said that the gondola had just undergone a full safety check in June.
"Workplace safety is of utmost importance to us... We will be working with our gondola vendor to investigate the cause of the incident," the spokesperson added.
Between February and April 2025, 13 stop-work orders and fines totalling more than $375,000 were issued to firms found to have flouted rules that protect workers carrying out tasks at high places.
Four workers died after falling from a height in 2024, out of a total of 43 workplace deaths, with the Workplace Safety and Health Council saying in March 2025 that the figures marked a 10-year low.
ST has contacted the Ministry of Manpower for more information.
