SINGAPORE - The bodies of five more pupils and one teacher from Tanjong Katong Primary School were identified, the Ministry of Education (MOE) confirmed on Sunday.
The five pupils, all aged 12, are Ameer Ryyan bin Mohd Adeed Sanjay, Emilie Giovanna Ramu, Matahom Karyl Mitzi Higuit, Rachel Ho Yann Shiuan, Sonia Jhala. The teacher is Loo Jian Liang Terrence Sebastian.
A Singaporean adventure guide - Muhammad Daanish Amran - who accompanied the students, was also identified.
One student, Navdeep Singh Jaryal, and one teacher, Mohammad Ghazi Bin Mohamed, remain missing as of Sunday afternoon. Operations to locate them are still going on.
MOE had confirmed earlier on Saturday that 12-year-old pupil Peony Wee Ying Ping was killed when a 6.0-magnitude quake struck Sabah on Friday (June 5). The victims were part of a group of 29 pupils and eight teachers who were on a field trip to Kota Kinabalu.
Condolences from Singapore's ministers immediately began pouring in on social media.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong said he is "very sad to learn that 8 bodies recovered from Mount Kinabalu have been identified as 1 teacher and 6 students from Tanjong Katong Primary School, plus an adventure guide who accompanied them. Our hearts go out to their families, and to the TKPS community."
He also thanked all those who were "working tirelessly in the rescue and recovery efforts - the Malaysian authorities, the search and rescue teams and hospital staff in KK, and all our officers in KK and Singapore."
Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean wrote: "Deepest condolences to the families of the students, teacher and guide who have now been identified."
Mr Teo, who is also Minister for Home Affairs, added that: "Our Home Team officers continue to work very closely with MOE and MFA colleagues to support the next of kin in KK, and to liaise with our Malaysian counterparts in the search."
Minister for Culture, Community and Youth Lawrence Wong wrote: "My deepest condolences and sympathies to the friends and families of the victims."
Minister for Social and Family Development Tan Chuan-Jin wrote: "We were all hoping that this will not come to pass...Let us be united in prayer for their families and loved ones. And to also remember the others who lost their lives in the earthquake."
Minister in the Prime Minister's Office and Labour chief Chan Chun Sing said: "Let's unite in this difficult moment to give our strongest support to the families who lost their loved ones in Sabah. They are not alone as we grieve together as a big Singaporean family for our shared loss."
