Ranau quake: 'Hope for the best' - Singapore PM

Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong is hoping for the best on the fate of the missing eight schoolchildren and two of their teachers following a 5.9 magnitude earthquake that shook parts of Sabah on Friday.

In his Facebook post Saturday, Lee said: "The parents and families left on an Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) C130 at 9:30am this morning for Kota Kinabalu.

"Hope for the best. Will update on our missing and injured students and teachers in Kota Kinabalu when I have more specific information."

It was reported earlier, that a group of students from the Tanjong Katong Primary School were on excursion at Mount Kinabalu when the earthquake struck Friday.

Eight students all aged 12, along with two teachers were uncontactable.

Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean also said in his Facebook post: "The parents accompanied by Ministry of Education officers and counsellors, and Home Team medical and liaison officers are being flown there by RSAF this morning.

Meanwhile, expressing his sympathy, Minister for Communications and Information Dr Yaacob Ibrahim said: "My thoughts are with the people in Sabah, Malaysia.

"Understand that families of Singaporeans there are anxious for more information. Our MFA Crisis Response Team has been dispatched there. Let us be patient as they do their best to reach those in need, and pray for the safety of those affected by the earthquake," he said in his post.