A MAN in his mid-20s was found dead in the waters near the East Coast park jetty, close to Fort Road, on Monday.

The body of Yeo Geok Siong, 25, was found at about 9.15am.

Police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) were alerted to the missing man in the water at about 5.10am.

Rescuers from the SCDF, the Naval Diving Unit and the police searched the area for the man and found his body four hours later.

The search stretched up to 14 metres from the shore. Two of the SCDF's amphibious vehicles were used in the search.

A relative of Mr Yeo, who was not married, said he last saw his nephew during the Chinese New Year festive period. Although Mr Yeo lived at his flat in Marsiling Drive, he was often not home, said the uncle, who did not want to be named.

Police have classified the case as unnatural death.