A woman who was shouting while perched precariously on a 26th-floor ledge was rescued by Singapore Civil Defence Force (SCDF) personnel and police officers. She was subsequently arrested.

The incident took place at about 3pm on Thursday (12 November) at Block 292A Bukit Batok East Avenue 6. A reporter went to the scene after receiving a tip-off. A resident, Ms Huang, 40, who witnessed the entire incident, recounted what happened to Shin Min Daily News.

She said she had initially noticed nothing unusual, but was startled when several SCDF personnel suddenly appeared in the ground-floor corridor.

She said a woman was standing precariously on a ledge near the rubbish chute on the 26th floor. At one point, the woman shouted so loudly that she could be heard from the ground floor.

Photographs provided by Ms Huang showed SCDF personnel setting up a safety life air pack at the foot of the block. At least two fire engines and several police cars were at the scene.

Several SCDF personnel were also on standby in the 25th-floor corridor.

Another resident, Mr Zhang, 56, said he understood that the woman was a domestic worker. She had stood on the ledge for nearly two hours before she was finally persuaded to return inside the flat.

In response to queries, the Singapore Police Force said a 33-year-old woman was standing on the ledge when officers arrived. As she was assessed to be at risk of endangering her own safety, the police deployed the Crisis Negotiation Unit, while SCDF personnel also attended to provide support.

The woman was brought to safety at 5.15pm and taken conscious to hospital. She was subsequently arrested under the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) Act.

In response to queries, the Singapore Civil Defence Force said its personnel found a person sitting on a 26th-floor ledge when they arrived. As a precaution, they set up a safety life air pack at the foot of the block. Members of the Disaster Assistance & Rescue Team then rappelled down from the rooftop and brought the person to safety.

Those facing difficulties in life can call the following helplines for support:

  • Samaritans of Singapore (SOS): 1767; CareText: 9151-1767 (both available 24 hours)

  • National mindline: 1771 or WhatsApp 6669-1771

  • Association of Women for Action and Research (AWARE): 1800-777-5555 (Women’s Helpline)

  • Care Corner Counselling Centre: 1800-353-5800

  • Institute of Mental Health: 6389-2222

  • Singapore Association for Mental Health: 1800-283-7019