Indonesian girl killed in Singapore Chinatown crash buried in Jakarta; mother still hospitalised

The six-year-old Indonesian girl who died after being struck by a car in Singapore’s Chinatown last week was buried in Jakarta on Sunday, as Singapore police continued investigations into the fatal accident and Indonesia’s embassy confirmed it has provided full assistance to the victim’s family.

The child, identified as Sheyna Lashira Smaradiani, was laid to rest at Tanah Kusir public cemetery in South Jakarta, following the repatriation of her body from Singapore earlier the same day.

Funeral held amid grief in Jakarta

The body arrived at Tanah Kusir cemetery at about 11:20 a.m. local time on Sunday.

Dozens of family members and relatives gathered at the burial, accompanying the coffin while carrying photographs of the child.

Her father, Ashar Ardianto, was seen overwhelmed with grief as the coffin was removed and lowered into the grave.

Relatives surrounded him, offering support and condolences during the burial rites.

Prayers were led by family members, followed by the scattering of flowers at the gravesite.

Ashar remained by the grave after the ceremony, placing flowers while gazing at his daughter’s headstone.

Fatal accident in Singapore’s Chinatown

The fatal accident occurred on Friday morning, 6 February, along South Bridge Road in Singapore’s Chinatown, near the Buddha Tooth Relic Temple, according to the Singapore Police Force (SPF).

Police said they were alerted to the incident at about 11:50 a.m., involving a car and two pedestrians — a 31-year-old woman and her six-year-old daughter. Both were conscious when taken to hospital.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force said the victims were conveyed to Singapore General Hospital. The child later died from her injuries, while her mother survived with serious injuries.

Chinese-language daily Lianhe Zaobao reported that the mother and daughter were tourists from Indonesia.

The incident was said to have occurred near a car park adjacent to the temple, a popular tourist site.

Eyewitness accounts circulated online

Photos and accounts of the incident were later shared on the SG Road Vigilante Facebook page, drawing widespread public attention and discussion.

A witness quoted by The Straits Times said the vehicle exited the car park while turning and appeared not to check for pedestrians on the right. The witness alleged the car accelerated suddenly.

Singapore police have not commented publicly on the eyewitness claims circulating on social media.

Another eyewitness, Nguyen Thi Hanh, said in a Facebook post that she had been walking behind the family and saw the accident unfold. She claimed the vehicle exited a car park beside the temple.

Nguyen alleged the driver failed to check for pedestrians on the right before turning. She said the front wheel ran over the child’s abdomen, followed by her mother’s leg.

According to Nguyen, the vehicle continued moving, and the rear wheel passed over the mother’s abdomen.

She described the aftermath as deeply distressing, with the child bleeding from the mouth.

Nguyen also alleged the driver did not initially realise she had hit anyone and appeared defensive after exiting the vehicle. She said she is willing to assist police investigations if required.

Another bystander, Hannah Đặng, said the girl’s father arrived moments later and held his daughter while calling for help.

Videos online showed bystanders shielding the victims with umbrellas.

Driver arrested, probe ongoing

Singapore police said a 38-year-old woman was arrested on 6 February for driving without reasonable consideration causing death.

In an update issued on 8 February, police said investigations are ongoing.

Authorities have not released further details about the driver or commented on the allegations raised by eyewitnesses, citing the ongoing nature of the probe.

Embassy confirms repatriation and assistance

Indonesia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Indonesian Embassy in Singapore has provided assistance to the family since the incident.

“KBRI Singapore has contacted the victim’s family, met with the victim’s father, and visited the hospital to provide the necessary support,” said Heni Hamidah, acting director for the protection of Indonesian citizens, in remarks to ANTARA.

She confirmed that the child’s body was flown back to Indonesia at 6:50 a.m. on Sunday for burial in Jakarta.

“KBRI Singapore will continue to coordinate closely with local authorities and the family to monitor developments and provide the necessary assistance,” she added.

Mother remains hospitalised

The girl’s mother, Raisha Anindra Pascasiswi, 31, remains hospitalised at Singapore General Hospital and is being treated for serious injuries, according to officials and family members.

The Indonesian embassy said she is being treated in the High Dependency Unit and has not been declared fit to return to Indonesia.

“Doctors have not yet declared her fit to fly,” said Maradona A. Runtukahu, a consular official at the embassy, as quoted by kumparan.

A family member, Satrio Wicaksono, told kumparan that Raisha’s condition was stable despite internal bleeding and fractures to her ribs and hip.

Family grief in Singapore

Relatives collected the child’s body from the morgue in Singapore on Saturday afternoon, according to Shin Min Daily News.

The report described cries from inside the morgue as family members gathered. An elderly female relative was said to be too distraught to view the body.

The girl’s father was seen struggling to remain standing and at one point sat on the floor in tears. The mother was not present due to her hospitalisation.

The Indonesian embassy confirmed its staff visited the family at Singapore General Hospital on the night of the accident to assist with administrative processes and provide support.