Section 78: Mmemorating the 830 Incident

Commemorating the "830 Incident" of August 30, 1968: Tragic Loss of Chi Wen Secondary School Students

On August 30, 1968, a bus bound for Ayer Hitam suddenly caught fire, resulting in the tragic loss of 12 passengers, including 5 students from Chi Wen Secondary School, an incident that sent shockwaves throughout the entire community.

The circumstances leading to this event are heart-wrenching. As reported by Li Guansheng 李观胜, the fundamental cause of the bus fire was a passenger carrying a bucket of gasoline onboard. When the bus was traversing the slope near Kwong Hap Garden 广合花园, gasoline accidentally spilled, triggering the devastating inferno. This incident prompted a profound reflection on public transportation safety. Why were hazardous materials allowed on public vehicles, leading to such a devastating loss of lives?

The impact of this fire incident extended far beyond the immediate tragedy. Shen Junyuan 沈钧远pointed out that when the principal announced this unfortunate news during the morning assembly, even he couldn't hold back tears, and the entire student body was left in shock and sorrow. This event stirred deep grief and resonance within the school and the community, bringing people together to collectively cope with the consequences of this tragic incident.

The school authorities swiftly took action, initiating a donation drive to support the families of the students who tragically lost their lives. This initiative received widespread response, not only from within the school but also from other members of the community, demonstrating a powerful spirit of unity.

Simultaneously, the Chinese Language Society played a pivotal role. They decided to compile a "830 Incident Special Edition" to forever remember these unfortunate fellow students. This special edition includes detailed accounts of the incident, recollections and photographs of the students, as well as profound expressions of mourning.