65-year-old man injured by falling concrete in Yishun HDB flat bathroom

Elderly resident injured by spalling concrete in Yishun flat

A 65-year-old retiree, Mohamad Hashim Arshad, was injured on June 19 after concrete from the ceiling of his HDB flat’s master bedroom bathroom collapsed while he was preparing for morning prayers. The spalling concrete struck his head, shoulder, and knee, requiring over 10 stitches and hospital treatment.

His daughter, 34-year-old Siti Nurhashikin, told The Straits Times that her father was “really, really traumatised” by the incident. He was sitting on the toilet when the ceiling gave way unexpectedly around 4:30 a.m. on June 19. Hashim, who has several chronic health conditions and is on blood-thinning medication, was discharged from the hospital on June 20.


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The unit, located on the ground floor of a block on Yishun Street 11, had no recent renovation history, nor did the unit directly above it. The family also reported no prior warning signs or damage in the ceiling area.

Flat upgraded in 2018, assistance to be provided under HDB scheme

In response to queries, the Housing and Development Board (HDB) stated that the unit was built 41 years ago and underwent upgrading under the Home Improvement Programme in 2018. Following the incident, HDB officers inspected the flat and discovered slight bulging in the kitchen bathroom ceiling, although no immediate spalling was observed.

HDB announced it would assist the flat owner through the Goodwill Repair Assistance scheme, which subsidizes 50 per cent of repair costs. The resident will be responsible for the remaining half, as maintenance obligations fall under the flat owner’s purview. The case has also been referred to local grassroots leaders for further support.

Minister for Home Affairs and Coordinating Minister for National Security, K. Shanmugam, addressed the issue in a Facebook post on June 20.

He confirmed that his team is working with HDB and the Town Council to support the affected family and manage the necessary repair work.

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Preventative maintenance critical for aging HDB units

Spalling concrete is caused by carbonation, a natural process that leads to the corrosion of steel reinforcement bars and the cracking of surrounding concrete. This deterioration is more common in moisture-prone areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.

“To help prevent such incidents, when any visible signs of cracks or holes start appearing, residents should seal them promptly, and also paint their ceilings regularly to prevent moisture and carbon dioxide from entering the concrete,” HDB said.

It added that proper ventilation in humid areas is essential. “Residents are also encouraged to provide for the proper ventilation of any moisture-prone areas by opening the windows, vents or doors when these areas are not in use,” the agency stated. HDB emphasized that consistent home maintenance is key to preserving flat integrity and minimizing structural risks.