In a heart-wrenching development, the remains of K.F. Seetoh’s brother, Mr. Seetoh Kwok Meng, will finally be returned to Singapore after more than three months following a devastating gas explosion in Italy. The unfortunate incident, which also claimed the life of Mr. Seetoh's wife, Ms. Chang Kai En, occurred in December 2024 while the couple was relaxing at their holiday home in the picturesque municipality of Molazzana, located in the Tuscany region.

In an emotional Facebook post on March 27, K.F. Seetoh, the founder of the renowned Makansutra food guide, expressed relief at being able to reclaim his brother’s remains. He wrote, “Now allowed to retrieve my brother’s remains for home, after three months… That gas explosion that killed him and his wife was so unexpected and unfortunate, but the heavens above always work mysteriously. Investigations on the cause are still ongoing, but we need some closure for now.”

Reports indicate that Mr. Seetoh Kwok Meng and Ms. Chang returned to their villa after dinner on December 21. Just a few hours later, at approximately 11:45 PM, a loud explosion rocked the area, resulting in a catastrophic fire that caused the villa to collapse. The laborious search for the couple's remains led to Mr. Seetoh being found among the rubble on December 22, while Ms. Chang's remains were discovered by a search dog four days later, near the villa.

While it remains uncertain whether the remains of Ms. Chang will also be repatriated, Mr. Seetoh has expressed his heartfelt gratitude towards Singapore’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs for their support throughout this tragedy. In addition to the funeral proceedings expected in Italy, a memorial service is scheduled to take place in Singapore from April 7-8, offering friends and family the opportunity to pay their respects.

This tragedy comes as a stark reminder of the dangers associated with gas installations, and investigations are ongoing to determine the exact cause of the explosion. As the family seeks closure, the community stands in solidarity, offering their condolences and support during this profoundly difficult time.

Stay tuned for updates on the investigation and efforts to improve safety regulations in residential properties worldwide.