A 38-year-old Bangladeshi worker died following a tree-felling accident at a private residence in Katong on October 13. Authorities were alerted to the incident at around 2:35 p.m. on Cranborne Road, according to statements from the Singapore Police Force and the Civil Defence Force.

The Ministry of Manpower (MOM) reported that the worker was engaged in tree-felling activities when the tree toppled at its base, causing him to fall alongside it. He was taken unconscious to Tan Tock Seng Hospital, where he later succumbed to his injuries. Preliminary investigations by police have found no indication of foul play, but both the police and MOM continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding the accident.

The deceased worked as a tree climber for Soh & Tan Enterprises and had been with the company for several years. His duties included pruning and cutting trees. Officials confirmed that the worker was wearing a safety harness at the time of the accident. Following the incident, MOM directed Soh & Tan Enterprises to halt all tree-felling operations involving tree climbing until investigations are complete.

A company spokeswoman stated that Soh & Tan Enterprises is cooperating fully with authorities and is in the process of arranging the worker’s funeral.

In response to the accident, MOM emphasized the importance of conducting thorough assessments of the tree and planned work methods prior to commencing tree-felling activities. The ministry also stressed that such work should only be carried out by trained personnel following established safety protocols to prevent similar incidents.

This incident occurs amid a noticeable rise in workplace fatalities in Singapore. MOM’s mid-year Workplace Safety and Health Report, released in September, indicated an increase in deaths from work-related injuries during the first half of 2026 compared with the same period last year. The workplace fatality rate rose to 1.1 deaths per 100,000 workers, up from 0.97 in 2025.