Stuck Sentosa monorail passengers rescued by climbing down ladders

SINGAPORE - A Sentosa Express train carrying 61 visitors and staff was stalled for more than an hour between the Imbiah and Beach stations last night.

A spokesperson from Sentosa Development Corporation (SDC) said in a statement that the breakdown occurred at 10.10pm, and that immediate efforts were made to bring the passengers to safety.

"This involved transferring them to a rescue train that would bring them back to the nearest Imbiah Station. However, due to technical difficulties in moving the rescue train, the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) was eventually called in to assist with the rescue operations," the spokesperson said.

The SCDF received a call for help at 11.30pm, and despatched one fire engine, one red rhino, two ambulances and two supporting vehicles for the rescue operations.

Four ladders were used to rescue the affected passengers, who wore helmets and who were tied to a safety line before descending the ladders.

SDC said that the passengers on the two-carriage train were regularly updated on the progress of the rescue operation. They were also provided with water, and those rescued were given further refreshments at a holding area.

All 61 passengers were successfully rescued in the two-hour operation which ended at 2am. Taxi transportation was arranged to send them home.

Initial investigations indicate a technical fault which resulted in a power outage, leading to the stalling of the train, SDC said.

The affected train has since been repaired and the Sentosa Express service resumed normal operations at 7am this morning.

Further investigations are ongoing.

huizhen@sph.com.sg