Sombre silence for child quake victims at SEA Games

Athletes, officials and fans at Singapore's SEA Games marked a sombre minute's silence on Monday for the six schoolchildren and two adults killed in an earthquake on Malaysia's Mount Kinabalu.

Sports venues across the small island nation fell silent on what has been declared a national day of remembrance after the extent of Singapore's losses became known on Sunday.

The victims were on a school trip to the popular Malaysian hiking destination when a 6.0-magnitude earthquake struck on Friday, toppling boulders and unleashing landslides.

One Singaporean student and one teacher are still missing after the disaster, of which the total death toll stands at 16.

Eighteen sports were scheduled to be played at the Southeast Asian (SEA) Games on Monday, with a separate minute's silence to be observed at each venue before the start of competition.

"Even as we continue with the Games, let us together as a community of athletes, officials and people unite -- to remember and honour the lives lost, and keep in prayers those who are still missing," organisers said in a statement.
Source: AFP