Search for woman missing in sinkhole tragedy: What we know so far
Efforts to locate Vijayalaksmi continues, with rescuers and officials committed to finding her.
SHAH ALAM - The search for 48-year-old Indian tourist Vijayaletchumy, who fell into an eight-metre-deep sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur (KL), has now entered its fourth day.
Despite extensive efforts, including excavation and a newly implemented flushing method, the victim remains missing.
Day 1: Friday, Aug 23
Victim disappears into a sinkhole that suddenly appeared
At 8.22am, a Vijayaletchumy fell into a sinkhole that suddenly appeared at Jalan Masjid India while walking towards a nearby temple.
She was reported as being on a two-month holiday in Malaysia with her family and was due to return home soon.
CCTV footage captured the moment she suddenly vanished into the hole, leaving her companions and bystanders in shock.
The KL Fire and Rescue Department received the emergency call and promptly initiated search and rescue (SAR) operations.
Rescue efforts begin
KL Police Chief Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa said that the SAR operation was challenging due to strong underground currents.
"We are proceeding with the SAR in stages and have discussed with Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) and other relevant agencies the infrastructure plan because we cannot act recklessly,” he said.
The initial rescue efforts focused on carefully navigating the public infrastructure to avoid potential flooding in the area.
Excavation and expansion of search area
By afternoon, the search area had expanded and several excavators were deployed to aid in the search.
The Fire and Rescue Department’s Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team K-9 unit and IWK were also involved.
Unfortunately, despite hours of effort, the victim had not yet been located.
Day 2: Saturday, Aug 24
Search continues without success
The SAR operations continued into the second day, but the victim remained missing.
Excavation work revealed a 1.5-meter-deep chamber constructed with concrete, where two scuba divers from the Fire and Rescue Department conducted a search.
However, the divers found no trace of the victim.
Mayor assures public of safety
KL Mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Sharif addressed concerns about the safety of the city following the incident.
"In my view, KL remains safe. We will only consider it unsafe if there are studies that provide evidence to the contrary," she said.
Maimunah also said that residents and businesses could continue their daily routines without fear.
Day 3: Sunday, Aug 25
Firefighters face harsh conditions
On the third day, firefighters continued their relentless search in hazardous conditions.
Fire operation officer Alimaddia Bukri shared the challenges faced by the team.
"When going down into the hole, it was really scary, but this is indeed the duty of a firefighter; we have to overcome the fear and surrender to God,” he said.
The team battled strong currents, zero visibility and tight spaces in the sewer system, further complicated by heavy rain.
Sinkhole caused by soil instability
Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Fadillah provided an update on the cause of the sinkhole, attributing it to geographical and soil structure factors.
"The limestone soil composition in the area disrupts the flow of underground water, leading to soil instability and ultimately resulting in the formation of the sinkhole," he said.
Despite the unpredictable nature of such incidents, he emphasised the importance of using knowledge and technology to mitigate risks.
Day 4: Monday, Aug 26
New flushing method implemented
As the search entered its fourth day, the authorities decided to implement a new ‘flushing’ method to clear any potential blockages in the sewage system.
Maimunah said that the flushing would involve building up water pressure naturally by temporarily blocking the water flow to specific manholes before releasing it to remove debris.
No new leads after 72 hours
Despite the ongoing SAR operations, which involved 104 members from various agencies, no new leads had been discovered after 72 hours.
However, Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim confirmed that the search would continue indefinitely until the victim is found.
This tragic incident has raised concerns among residents and officials about the safety of Kuala Lumpur's infrastructure.
While authorities assure the public that the city remains safe, the search for Vijayalaksmi continues, with rescuers and officials committed to finding her.
