Search and rescue for sinkhole victim halted, too dangerous for team: Zaliha

It is due to hazardous conditions under and above ground after second sinkhole appeared

4:03 PM MYT

 

KUALA LUMPUR – After nine days, the search and rescue (SAR) operation for an Indian female tourist who disappeared after falling into a sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India has been called off.

Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the operation will now move into the “search and recovery” phase, to be managed by the police.

She said the decision to halt the SAR operation was made with the advice of all parties and experts involved in the operation, including the police, the Fire and Rescue Department, Indah Water Konsortium, geologists, and the Malaysian Nuclear Agency, among others.

“Only after we got all their views, did we decide to stop the search and rescue today,” Zaliha told a press conference here this afternoon.

The biggest factors for stopping the search and rescue were the dangerous conditions facing personnel inside manholes and sewerage channels, she said.

Another concern was the safety of the area aboveground from the impact of the search activity, more so after a second sinkhole appeared in the area.

“Based on the findings of those in the SAR operation, the biggest obstacle is a huge blockage in the IWK line. Even though the object does not show traces of the victim, we cannot continue the search due to safety reasons.

“And also the safety of the area, as we have a second sinkhole. We need to allow (business) activities to resume while not sacrificing the safety of the people who come to the Jalan Masjid India area,” Zaliha said.

The search for the victim, Vijaya Lakshmi, 48, from India, has posed various safety and health risks to operation personnel who have had to deal with massive amounts of garbage, including solidified fat, toxic fumes and strong water currents in sewerage lines below ground.

Zaliha said the decision to halt the search and rescue operation has also been conveyed to the Indian High Commissioner to Malaysia, who has thanked the Malaysian authorities for their efforts, 

As for the victim’s family, she said the ministry has been providing a counsellor to support them.

On the search and recovery phase, Zaliha said the police will decide on the next course of action.

For Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL), she said the local authority will conduct a mapping of utilities and soil structure study across the capital city.

“We will also engage the traders and business here, to help them resume activities safely. First, DBKL will do reconstruction of the area…for about 100 metres.

“The area will be closed so that it is not disturbed while we do recovery and reconstruction,” Zaliha said, without stating when the work would be completed.

Going forward, she said DBKL will require all new development projects to be submitted with a geotechnical study prepared by certified engineers, as ordered by KL mayor Datuk Seri Maimunah Mohd Sharif recently. – August 31, 2024

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