A Heart-Wrenching Timeline of Events

The search for Muhammad Hairil Effendi, an 11-year-old boy with special needs, came to a tragic conclusion as his body was discovered in the sea off East Coast Park on the night of August 30. His disappearance sent shockwaves through the community, prompting widespread appeals for help.

August 29: The Last Sighting

At 11:05 AM on August 29, Hairil was last seen near Block 29 Marine Crescent. His mother reported that CCTV footage from a neighbor captured him leaving their home, marking the beginning of a frantic search.

Social Media Outcry

By 9:30 PM the same day, the community rallied together on social media, sharing missing posters and appeals for information. One heartfelt post reached over 6,100 shares by midnight, amplifying the urgency surrounding his disappearance.

Police Involvement Grows

As the hours passed, the police stepped in, issuing a missing person report by 10:52 PM. Their efforts soon escalated.

A Search at East Coast Park

The situation took a grim turn on August 30 when authorities received a call for assistance at East Coast Park around 9:55 PM. Eyewitnesses reported seeing police and the Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) cordoning off a section of the park shortly thereafter.

Operation to Recover the Body

As night fell, SCDF's Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team (DART) sprang into action. By 10:40 PM, divers were preparing their equipment, readying themselves for the underwater mission.

Confirmation of the Tragedy

By 11:15 PM, the somber task was completed as responders recovered the body of a boy from the sea. It was later confirmed by police on August 31 at 11:48 AM that Hairil's next-of-kin had identified the lifeless body as that of the missing boy, marking an end to the heart-wrenching search and leaving a community in mourning.