In memory of Sabah quake victims

Couple Tonny Phuay and Joyce Lim making their way up the gruelling trail to Laban Rata, which is the rest point before the climb to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. Their daughter, Chantal, who was ahead of them, is a survivor of last year's earthquake.
Couple Tonny Phuay and Joyce Lim making their way up the gruelling trail to Laban Rata, which is the rest point before the climb to the summit of Mount Kinabalu. Their daughter, Chantal, who was ahead of them, is a survivor of last year's earthquake. ST PHOTO: DESMOND FOO

From Mount Kinabalu in Sabah to Tanjong Katong Primary School (TKPS) in Seraya Road, friends and families of those who had died on the school's expedition to the popular mountain observed a minute of silence yesterday at 7.15am - exactly a year since a 5.9-magnitude earthquake had struck.

Ten Singaporeans - seven pupils and two teachers from TKPS, and an adventure guide - died in the quake, along with two Malaysian guides.

At the school, about 50 people gathered for a short but emotional memorial ceremony, where some wept while others exchanged hugs.

Over in Sabah, a group of about 20 Singaporeans who are scaling Mount Kinabalu to complete what their loved ones could not, lit candles in remembrance of those who had died.

On the mountain, too, to complete their loved ones' unfinished business were families of the Malaysian guides. They sang hymns and offered prayers for them.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Straits Times on June 06, 2016, with the headline In memory of Sabah quake victims. Subscribe