Yesterday, residents in Singapore were puzzled over what appeared to be two empty and open coffins casually drifting down the Kallang River. Images circulated on social media, and netizens wasted no time cracking jokes that ranged from calling the Ghostbusters to Dracula’s apartment flooding to the metaphorical death of free speech.
No matter how they ended up on the floating on the waters, it was a strange sight to behold.
Chinese newspaper Shin Min Daily News said the coffins were initially seen near Block 15 Upper Boon Keng Road, and The Straits Times quoted a funeral director from Lee Teoh Heng Undertaker as saying that the coffins were likely imported and did not go through a suitable disposal after the bodies were dealt with.
However, it is still unclear how they landed in the river and whether the authorities have since removed them.
Apparently, the photos by Shin Min Daily News showed shipping labels on the coffins, which could aid in identifying the people responsible for them. And the National Environmental Agency’s website says a coffin import permit is needed to repatriate the body of a Singaporean of permanent resident into the country for cremation or burial.
But if you’re worried about the coffins polluting the water, ST said the river is believed to be channeled into water treatment plants.
In the online sphere, some commenters got political about it, while others just saw the humor in the situation.
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