KL sinkhole: Search for victim halted; police to decide next steps

KUALA LUMPUR - The search and rescue operation for

an Indian tourist who fell into a sinkhole

in downtown Kuala Lumpur on Aug 23 has been officially called off.

“There are various factors for halting the operation, which include the safety and health of the rescue personnel,” said Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), on Aug 31.

The discovery of a second sinkhole about 50m from the one that the tourist had fallen into had also raised concerns over the safety of the area, she added at a press conference.

The decision was made after consulting experts from the Fire and Rescue Department, the police, the waste company and other relevant agencies and after informing the Cabinet, she said.

“The family of the victim has been informed, and we are in constant contact with them and the Indian High Commission,” she added.

The tourist, Ms Vijayalaksmi, from Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh state, had fallen 8m into the sinkhole that opened up on the pavement in Jalan Masjid India, a popular tourist shopping district, on Aug 23. The 48-year-old was heading towards a nearby temple.

Following the halting of the search operation, Dr Zaliha said the Malaysian police will lead the subsequent phase of search and recovery, determining the next steps to be taken.

“The Kuala Lumpur City Council will also map the utilities and conduct a soil structure study throughout Kuala Lumpur and proceed with the rebuilding and recovery of Jalan Masjid India,” she said.

Developers will be required to submit geotechnical reports for new projects in Kuala Lumpur given the emergence of the two sinkholes in Jalan Masjid India, she added.

She said the city council will also engage with local businesses to ensure that they can resume their activities.

The Malaysian authorities had said earlier in the week that a portion of a large concrete sewer at the bottom of the sinkhole was broken, and Ms Vijayalaksmi might have fallen in and been swept away.

Heavy rain that deluged Kuala Lumpur in the past weeks meant there was a lot of fast-moving water in the sinkhole and sewer, complicating the search efforts.

Dr Zaliha said at the press conference that rescue personnel had identified an “object” in the sewer pipes during their search, but could not confirm whether it was the victim as the fast-moving water had made the operation dangerous. 

A day earlier on Aug 30, the search operation was halted at the sinkhole site in Jalan Masjid India, The Star reported, while being continued at the Pantai Dalam IWK sewage plant where the sewer ends.

This decision was made as the Fire and Rescue Department had deemed it too risky to continue search and rescue activities using scuba-diving methods.

One expert told The Straits Times that the Malaysian authorities should provide a comprehensive report before deciding to stop the operation.

Malaysian Water and Wastewater Quality Safety Association president G. Parameswaran said: “Our rescue personnel have exerted their utmost efforts over the past nine days, diving into the sinkhole despite the significant risks to their health and safety.

“But to officially close this case, it is crucial that a comprehensive report is provided, demonstrating that even with the use of technology, the tourist’s body could not be located.”

Meanwhile, Dr Zaliha said the Indian High Commission understands the Malaysian government’s decision to cease the search and rescue operation.

All possible assistance will be provided to the family, she said.

“We will also assist the family should they want to extend their visas further,” said Dr Zaliha, noting that potential compensation for the family will be discussed.

Ms Vijayalaksmi and her family had been in Malaysia for about two months and were due to fly home on Aug 24, The Straits Times reported earlier, adding that the authorities had provided a counsellor for the family members, whose visas have been extended for a month.

The incident and search operation have affected business in the Jalan Masjid India area, a usually bustling shopping district known for its goldsmiths and jewellers, as well as low-priced goods ranging from colourful Malay bajus to Indian saris.

Ms Kasthuri Youkie, who owns the New Madras Store selling Indian apparel, said sales have plummeted by about 90 per cent as customers are now afraid to walk on the street.

“Although the operation has now stopped, we still have doubts over whether our customers will return as they think that the Masjid India area is dangerous and unsafe to walk on,” she said.