KUALA LUMPUR: The presence of four people carrying yellow chrysanthemums drew the attention of those at the scene of the sinkhole incident at Jalan Masjid India here on Wednesday (Aug 28) afternoon.
They arrived at the location at 1.10pm and performed religious rites for about 10 minutes.
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It is believed the rites were for the success of ongoing search and rescue (SAR) efforts to locate the missing Indian tourist identified as Vijayalaksmi, 48, who fell into the 8m-deep sinkhole on Friday (Aug 23).
One of the four, VT Vanija, told reporters she was a representative of non-governmental organisations (NGOs) Malaysia Hindu Sanggam and Hindu Darma Mamandram.
"We sang ‘Sivapuranam Thevaram’ and ‘Thiruvasanagam’. The flowers will be released into the river in accordance with Hindu beliefs as a form of offering to the victim,” she said.
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Despite having no family ties to the victim, Vanija explained that she and other NGO representatives regularly conduct such ceremonies during disasters and emergencies such as the Covid-19 pandemic.
On Wednesday, they distributed food packs to media personnel and spoke to passers-by.
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The SAR for Vijayalaksmi is now in its sixth day and involves the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Civil Defence Force, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and other agencies.
At 2.30am Wednesday, a second sinkhole appeared about 50m from the initial site and was quickly cordoned off by DBKL personnel. It is believed to have been caused by heavy rain the previous evening. – Bernama
