5 Singaporeans missing in Cambodian boat race mishap

After watching this news from TV5, it got me real scared. Hopefully my friend is not involved in it. I still remember that he's not able to swim that well since poly days.

I'm still not able to reach his phone. From his blog, found out the very last post is 4 days ago. Really praying for him right now. Hey Reuben, give me a call or what to let me know your safe and sound k?

Extract from Straits Times

FIVE Singaporeans are missing feared drowned and 17 others have been hospitalised after their boat capsised on Friday during Cambodia's annual water festival river races, officials said.

The mishap occurred late in the afternoon on the first day of races, which draws millions, mostly spectators and holiday-makers, to the capital Phnom Penh, police chief Touch Naruth told reporters.

Nhim Vanda of Cambodia's National Disaster Management Committee said the accident happened as the boat tried to dock after racing.

'Five of the 22 crew members are missing after their boat sunk,' he said.

More than 440 boats are entered in this year's races, including a number crewed by foreigners.

All 10 Association of Southeast Asian Nation (Asean) countries have boats competing.

Deputy Prime Minister Sar Kheng was supervising rescue efforts late Friday, officials said.

Accidents are common during the boat races, which involve long, thin 'dragon boats' crewed by as many as 70 rowers which compete against each other in the sometimes choppy waters in front of Phnom Penh's royal palace. -- AFP