Man killed in blast at show

Press, 23 January 1984, Page 1

Man killed in blast at show

NZPA-Reuter Singapore

A rocket grenade exploded at an international aerospace exhibition at Singapore’s Changi Airport on Saturday killing one person and injuring eight others, the police said. It went off during a demonstration at a Singapore military booth where an array of sophisticated weapons, including live ammunition, was on display. The explosion tore a big hole in a wall and shattered glass panels. The police cordoned off the area, but the exhibition, the biggest civilian and military aerospace show held in Asia, went on uninterrupted. The police said no-one had been detained, but a thorough investigation would be held.

The explosion was not believed to have affected stands manned by Air New Zealand and the Christ-church-based Airwork (N.Z.), Ltd, the airline’s South-East Asia district manager, Mr Graeme McDowall, said. “I’ve just returned from New Zealand myself,” said Mr McDowall. “But I think I would have heard about it if any New Zealanders had

been amongst those injured.” The grenade exploded only 50 metres from a United States “space” stand where a visiting astronaut, Dr Norman Thagard, was signing autographs. Dr Thagard rushed to the Singapore pavilion to help the injured. At least two of those hurt were flown to Singapore General Hospital. The police identified the dead man as Goh Suan Feng, aged 21, of Singapore. The injured included two Americans, but the police said their condition was not serious.

The United States has the largest display at the exhibition, Asia Aerospace ’B4. American exhibits include a model of the E2C airborne warning and control system and other modern aircraft, sophisticated electronic ground support systems and missiles.

The show, which opened on January 18 at the sprawling Changi International Airport complex, was restricted to trade "visitors and national delegations until yesterday when hundreds of people crowded round the stands put up by 400 companies from 19 countries.