KUALA LUMPUR (THE STAR/ASIA NEWS NETWORK) - Excavation works for an underground tunnel led to the collapse of a road in the Malaysian capital on Wednesday, snarling traffic and leading to an alert for a possible bigger cave-in. However, there were no casualties reported.

The collapse at the intersection of Jalan Pudu and Jalan Hang Tuah in the centre of the city caused a traffic jam after it sunk twice between 10.30 and 12.20pm on Wednesday.

KL Fire and Rescue department assistant director (operations) Azizan Ismail said the collapse also damaged water pipes, but there were no casualties.

"We predict that the road will collapse further along the tunnel line," he said

Two idle excavators were in the tunnel when the incident occured.

Thirty personnel from the fire department as well as two teams comprising 2o rescue personnel and police were on the site to assist with the situation.

Authorities took extra precaution of temporarily halting the monorail service between Imbi and Hang Tuah stations, Rapid Rail Sdn Bhd Monorail chief operating officer Abdul Hadi Amran said, adding that shuttle services were extended to fill in the void.