PUTRAJAYA: The Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) has determined that it is too risky to continue using diving methods in the search and rescue (SAR) operation for the Indian national who was swallowed by a sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur.
JBPM director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said this decision was made after nearly 30 minutes of diving by two scuba divers at 4am today proved unsuccessful.
He identified several risk factors, including strong underground water currents, limited space for rescuers and the presence of debris and hard blockages in the search area.
"After tactical discussions and feedback from the two divers who entered earlier today, I concluded that it is too risky to continue the diving efforts and physical search for the victim.
"We made several attempts from 5pm yesterday until 1am today to break through the backlog (blockages). However, it was found to be impossible - extremely difficult to break the solidified fats, which are like concrete blocks. Even pulling them with ropes using up to eight people was unsuccessful," he told the media after attending the JBPM monthly assembly on Friday (Aug 30).
According to Nor Hisham, the diving method involving a firefighter and a sewer worker familiar with the design of the channels was employed after the water level was reduced using pumps.
"We entered about 20 minutes, 18 metres in, and found that there was no space for entry. The space was very narrow, and divers had to lie flat to enter.
"At the same time, the water level rose, so we agreed to withdraw the scuba team due to the high risks. That was the decision we made yesterday," he said.
Nor Hisham said JBPM also deployed two underwater cameras in the SAR area, and so far, the images captured include fragments of cloth that could not be identified.
"However, we cannot say if the pieces of cloth belong to anyone as various items are found in that space," he said.
"So, that’s what we found, but I would like to clarify that based on the camera footage, there was no image of a body because the water turbulence was strong," he said.
He said JBPM would hold a meeting with the parties involved in the SAR operation at the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) building this afternoon to determine the direction of the operation, including other methods that can be used to locate the victim, and which roads will continue to be closed.
When asked if the rescue team is "at a loss" for methods to search for the victim, he said the existing methods are too risky for the rescuers, and this needs to be weighed against the risks and probabilities.
He explained that he was left speechless while observing the SAR activities at 4am today because he was extremely concerned about the safety of the divers, who had to lie flat and crawl through the narrow area.
"When we saw the entry point, which was about two feet wide, we were really worried that they might get stuck. There was a 'piston effect' from the water, making it impossible for them to retreat, which is very dangerous," he added.
When asked if there is still hope of finding the victim after the SAR operation has entered its eighth day, Nor Hisham said the chances are quite slim.
"With the current methods, we feel that the chances are slim unless we have other techniques," he said.
On Aug 23, an Indian woman identified as Vijayalaksmi, 48, disappeared after falling into the eight-meter-deep sinkhole while on her way to a nearby temple.
The SAR operation was activated on the same day, involving personnel from various security forces and local authorities who employed multiple techniques, including jetting, flushing and water suction to clear the incident site. - Bernama
