Qayyim Daniel Putra Rosli body retrieved from Kallang river after he went missing

A 13-year-old boy has gone missing after reportedly slipping into the Kallang River on Feb 25.

His mother, Madam Siti, said her son Daniel had no fishing experience and was not a strong swimmer.

“Why would he go? He has no experience fishing,” she said.

She received a call at about 5pm that day saying Daniel had slipped into the river while fishing and was missing. She added that his teacher had earlier warned him not to go fishing during the fasting month of Ramadan.

Madam Siti has been keeping vigil near Block 8B, Upper Boon Keng Road, with her two other sons, aged 14 and 11. She said she has little support at home. Her husband is in prison and her in-laws are unwell.

She was at work as a food stall operator when she found out and rushed to the scene immediately. The family lives in the Redhill area.

She also recalled feeling uneasy that morning when Daniel ‘salam’ her three times before leaving for school at 6.45am, which she said was not normal.

The Singapore Civil Defence Force Disaster Assistance and Rescue Team carried out an underwater search on Feb 25 but stopped after 9pm due to low visibility. Search operations resumed at 7am on Feb 26.

A friend told AsiaOne that Daniel fell into the river while trying to unhook a fishing line from a net. Another boy also fell in while trying to save him but was rescued. Daniel was swept away by the current.

Police said no foul play is suspected based on preliminary investigations.