SINGAPORE: Six people were injured after two shophouse units partially collapsed in Syed Alwi Road, Singapore, in the early hours of 8 October.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) in a Facebook post reported that they were alerted to the incident at approximately 1.30am.

The affected buildings, located at 84 and 85 Syed Alwi Road, were identified as housing Paakashala Singapore, a vegetarian Indian restaurant, and Nirja Mega Mart.

The SCDF immediately launched a search and rescue operation upon arrival.

SCDF confirmed that search dogs and a drone were deployed to ensure no one was trapped beneath the debris.

According to the SCDF, the dogs and drone augmented manual search efforts, while firefighters rescued an individual trapped on the second floor of one of the shophouses.

The person, located in unit 84, was unable to evacuate due to a blocked staircase and was safely removed using a ladder.

The incident, which passers-by described as having been accompanied by a loud blast, prompted the SCDF to deploy additional firefighting resources.

A water mist spray device was utilised to disperse any potential build-up of flammable gases as a precautionary measure, though no fires were detected.

SCDF confirmed that no one was trapped under the debris and there were no additional reported injuries at the time of their 7:00 am Facebook update. The SCDF remains on the scene.

In terms of injuries, two individuals were transported to Singapore General Hospital and Tan Tok Seng Hospital for treatment of minor injuries.

Four others, though also sustaining minor injuries, declined to be hospitalised.

A Facebook live stream by a netizen, captured around 1.20am, provided an early view of the aftermath.

In the footage, a woman can be heard remarking on an explosion occurring near the popular Mustafa Centre, which is located close to the collapsed units.

Bystanders are seen gathered around the scene, with shattered glass visible on the ground, blocking part of the one-lane road.

MALAYSIA: A Palestinian woman involved in a disturbance at Wisma Transit, Kuala Lumpur, has issued an apology and expressed deep regret for her actions.

According to NST, the woman, identified as Aminah Muhammad Nafi’ Jamal Abd Rabah, was one of 127 Palestinians brought to Malaysia for medical treatment after sustaining injuries in the ongoing conflict with Israel.

A video that has been circulating on social media since 2 October shows a group of Palestinians involved in a confrontation with security personnel.

Some of them were seen behaving aggressively, including throwing slippers at an enforcement officer and damaging property.

According to reports, the incident was driven by frustration after the group was denied permission to stay outside the designated Wisma Transit Kuala Lumpur (WTKL) premises.

The Woman Apologizes for Disturbance, Attributes Actions to Emotional Distress from Family Separation

Speaking in a TikTok video, Aminah explained that her actions stemmed from personal distress, specifically due to her inability to contact her children, who remain in Gaza.

She emphasised that her behaviour was not intentional, and that it was a product of the difficult situation she and her fellow Palestinians were experiencing.

“I apologise and deeply regret what I did. I swear to God, I did not do it intentionally. We are going through a very difficult situation that only Allah knows,” she said in the clip.

Aminah further expressed her gratitude towards Malaysians for their generosity and respect.

She acknowledged that the treatment she and others had received from the country had been exemplary.

“I swear in the name of Allah, we are receiving the best care. What I say comes sincerely from my heart. You have treated us Palestinians with kindness, respect, and appreciation. ”

“You have fulfilled your duties responsibly, but we were the ones who wronged you,” she added.

@tahreergh

Dengan segala hormat kepada ATM dan semua pihak yang terlibat dalam kes perempuan Palestin yang menjadi viral 2 hari yang lepas di Wisma Putra Malaysia.. saya nak kongsi video perempuan yang sama tapi kali ni content video dia lain sangat dari video yg viral tu .. Rasulullah SAW bersabda: كُلُّ ابْنِ آدَمَ خَطَّاءٌ وَخَيْرُ الْخَطَّائِينَ التَّوَّابُونَ. Maksud hadis ini adalah: Setiap anak Adam (yakni manusia) pasti melakukan kesalahan, sedangkan sebaik-baik orang yang melakukan kesalahan adalah orang yang bertaubat. Hadis riwayat Al-Tirmizi. Ujian besar buat manusia adalah keupayaan untuk memaafkan orang yang membuat salah kepada beliau .. semoga Allah memberi keupayaan ini kepada kami semua.. Walau menjadi apa2 pon, kami rakyat Palestin tetap sayang Malaysia dan rakyat Malaysia.. ikhlas dari hati tahu 🥹🇲🇾🇵🇸 TahreerGh Gh

♬ original sound – TahreerGh – TahreerGh

The disturbance at Wisma Transit has drawn significant attention, leading to a formal apology from the Palestinian Ambassador to Malaysia, Walid Abu Ali.

In a statement, he reassured Malaysians that the incident did not reflect Palestinian values.

“I apologise on behalf of all Palestinians in Malaysia and back home for what occurred. This is not our culture, ethics, or beliefs,” he stated.

Walid emphasised the deep gratitude Palestinians feel towards Malaysia for its continuous support of their cause.

Since August 2023, Malaysia has taken in 127 Palestinians, including 41 individuals injured in Israeli attacks on Gaza.

Many of the patients were transferred to Tuanku Mizan Military Hospital for treatment, while their relatives were accommodated at various hotels.

“For their own security and safety, the patients were kept in the healthcare facility with restricted movements and limited visitors,” he said.

Many have been in Malaysia since their arrival and have had limited opportunities to leave the hospital.

Walid noted that the patients, having come from war-torn Gaza, were under significant emotional stress, which may have contributed to their behaviour.

He also highlighted that some individuals were struggling to adjust to a completely new culture and environment, exacerbating their emotional challenges.

The Palestinian Embassy in Malaysia, according to Walid, has been closely coordinating with Malaysian authorities to support the patients and their families.

Embassy staff regularly visit the patients and assist with their needs to the best of their ability.

Walid also reassured the Malaysian public that the embassy is working to prevent a recurrence of such incidents.

“My message to Malaysians is that such an incident will not happen again. We love Malaysia and its people. However, please consider that these individuals have come under immense pressure due to the ongoing war. They need special care,” Walid stated.