SINGAPORE : The joint memorial service for the five Singaporeans who died in the dragon boat race tragedy in Cambodia last Friday has started at Mandai Crematorium.

Mr Chee Wei Cheng, Mr Jeremy Goh , Mr Stephen Loh, Mr Reuben Kee and Mr Poh Boon San died when their dragon boat capsized along the Tonle Sap River.

Minister of Community Development, Youth and Sports Vivian Balakrishnan will lay a wreath on each of the five coffins.

He will then speak, followed by families of the five men as well as the captain of the team.

The surviving members of the dragon boat team will act as pallbearers.

After the service, the families will go to various halls to hold their individual services.

The death of the five Singaporeans jolted Singapore's sports fraternity.

And the tragedy raises questions about risk management in overseas sports competitions, said the Sports Council.

To address these issues and get to the bottom of the latest incident, an Independent Panel of Inquiry will be formed next week to investigate the tragedy.

The Singapore Sports Council, which will lead the multi-agency team, said the panel will take a few months to deliberate and come out with its findings. - CNA/ch