Sinkhole incident: Still no sign of victim after SAR op resumes

Photo: Bernama

KUALA LUMPUR: The search for an Indian national who was "swallowed" by a sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India early on Friday resumed on Saturday (Aug 24) with rescue personnel moving in again with hopes of finding the victim alive.

Personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department resumed the search and rescue operation again at 9am but up till 11am, there were no signs of the victim, who has been identified as 48-year-old Vijayalaksmi from South India.

ALSO READ: Currents hinder search for woman

It is learnt that rescuers might excavate the sinkhole to extend their search further down the underground drainage.

At least 10 business outlets in the area are affected by the incident and forced to draw the shutters due to the closure at the stretch.

Dang Wangi ACP Sulizme Affendy Sulaiman said police will update the media on the rescue operation at 1pm.

Closed-circuit television footage shows the victim walking with her family when a piece of the pavement near Malayan Mansion caved in, plunging her into the sinkhole.

The Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department received the distress call at 8.22am and 15 firefighters from two stations were dispatched to the scene.

“From what we know, the victim is a tourist who has been here for two months, and tomorrow (today) was supposed to be her last day in the country before returning to India,” said Kuala Lumpur police chief Comm Datuk Rusdi Mohd Isa, who also urged the press to give some space to the victim’s family.

He added that the authorities would assist the victim’s family members by giving them timely updates and communicating with the Indian High Commission on their visa extension.