Drone pilot issued warning after flying UAV during SEA Games closing ceremony
SINGAPORE -A 55-year-old man who tried to take photographs of the fireworks during the 28th South-East Asian Games Closing Ceremony using an unmanned aircraft has been issued a stern warning by the police.
A statement from the Police said that they were notified on June 16 at 8.50pm to suspicious sightings at Kallang Riverside Park. The man was seen operating an unmanned aircraft near the National Stadium without a permit.
Earlier on June 2, the Police had designated the National Stadium and its surrounding areas as a ‘Special Event Area’ under the Public Order Act during the opening and closing ceremonies of the 28th SEA games.
Under the new regulations, unauthorised unmanned aircraft will not be allowed to fly within or near the demarcated zone as “the operation of unmanned aircraft over a mass assembly of spectators and participants in major events such as the SEA Games could pose a threat to public safety and security.”
Any person who commits the offence shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding $20,000 or to imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or to both.
The warning was issued to the man in consultation with the Attorney-General’s Chambers, the police said.
The police explained that flying an unmanned aircraft without the appropriate permit may pose a threat to public safety and security especially in areas where there are large crowds.
“Flying an unmanned aircraft near a fireworks area is especially dangerous and can cause severe harm to the members of public who are watching the fireworks,” the police said.
“Members of the public are advised to refer to the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) website for more details on the permit applications regarding the operation of unmanned aircraft in Singapore.”
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