Search Efforts Intensify for Tourist Missing in Kuala Lumpur Sinkhole

In an unfolding drama at Kuala Lumpur’s bustling downtown Masjid India, search-and-rescue teams are racing against time to find Vijayaletchumy, a 48-year-old tourist from Andhra Pradesh, India. She tragically fell into an eight-meter-deep sinkhole that opened unexpectedly near the Malayan Mansion flats at 8:20 am. This incident has prompted an urgent extension of the SAR operation to six manholes surrounding the area, a move underscored by desperation and hope for a breakthrough.

Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman, speaking to the media, revealed that the meticulous search began early, around 10:30 am, when a fireman was lowered into the manhole in front of Wisma Yakin. Despite the close proximity—about 100 meters from the sinkhole—the search yielded no clues or leads. The second manhole on Jalan Melayu is currently under scrutiny, with rescuers cautiously optimistic.

The SAR efforts, though relentless, have imposed safety-first measures, restricting one fireman per manhole to minimize risks. The environmental hazards, notably potential harmful gases from the sewage system, have led the authorities to issue warnings to the public to circumvent the area.

Assistant Commissioner Sulizmie detailed the exhaustive allocation of resources in the sinkhole search. Despite employing the K-9 sniffer dog unit with no success, their commitment remains unwavering. Vijayaletchumy’s disappearance has shaken their community; she was enjoying a two-month holiday in Malaysia with her husband and family when the tragedy struck.

Gruesome CCTV footage from the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department captured the moment of the sinkhole collapse. It also showed a man on a nearby bench falling into the sinkhole, though he managed to escape, a testament to the unpredictability and danger of the incident.

As the search continues, the urgency of time carries a palpable weight. The precarious situation has thrust everyone involved into a race against unseen, ticking moments, hoping to turn every obstacle into another chance to find Vijayaletchumy.