Malaysian student from SUTD injured in Nice attack but in stable condition in hospital

Mr Esmond Chuah, 22, a Malaysian student from the Singapore University of Technology and Design, was injured in a terror attack in Nice on July 14, 2016. PHOTO: FACEBOOK/CHUAH TZE LENG

SINGAPORE - A student from the Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD) was injured in the Nice attack, the school said on Friday (July 15).

The third-year Malaysian student is among 12 SUTD students who are in Nice for the summer programme.

The students had left for a three-week programme that started on July 3, and were due to come back next week.

The injured SUTD student is Mr Esmond Chuah, 22, a third-year student whose father had been appealing earlier for more information on his condition.

Mr Chuah was with a group of students from other schools when the incident happened and not all 11 of his schoolmates were present at the time.

A spokesman for the school told The Straits Times his condition is "not life-threatening" and declined to comment further on how Mr Chuah got injured.

"He is now in stable condition in the hospital and in contact with his parents," said the spokesman.]

The 11 other SUTD students are safe and accounted for, said the school.

Apart from Mr Chuah, there were seven Singaporeans in the group, two permanent residents, one Vietnamese and one Indonesian.

SUTD President Professor Thomas Magnanti said: "We are in contact with all relevant authorities, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, embassies and working with the International SOS to provide on-ground support and counselling.

"We are also doing all we can to support and update the students and their parents."

The other 11 students have been advised to remain in their hostel and pay attention to the safety instructions of the French authorities, he added.

Earlier, Mr Chuah's father had posted an appeal on Facebook for information about his son.

"Please find my son Esmond Chuah Hooi Ong (SUTD Singapore) who injured himself in the Nice, France attack this morning. Wish to know his condition now," Mr Chuah Tze Leng wrote at about 4pm.

Acting Minister for Education Ong Ye Kung wished Esmond "a swift recovery and a safe trip home" in a post on Facebook.

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