No entry: Police tape surrounds the area where the sinkhole appeared on Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur. — KAMARUL ARIFFIN/The Star
PUTRAJAYA: The Fire and Rescue Department has determined that it is too risky to continue diving in the search and rescue (SAR) operation for the Indian tourist who was swallowed by a sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur.
Its director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said this decision was made after nearly 30 minutes of diving by two scuba divers at 4am yesterday 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, I concluded that it was too risky to continue the diving efforts and physical search for the victim.
“We made several attempts from 5pm Thursday until 1am Friday to break through the backlog. 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 said after attending the department’s monthly assembly yesterday, Bernama reported.
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 for about 20 minutes; 18m in, the space narrowed, and divers had to lie flat to move forward. 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,” he added.
Nor Hisham said two underwater cameras were also deployed in the SAR area, and so far, the images captured include fragments of cloth that could not be identified.
“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 the department would hold a meeting with the parties involved in the SAR 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.
Authorities had closed off Jalan Masjid India after a second sinkhole appeared on Aug 28, 50m from the location of the first incident.
When asked if the rescue team was “at a loss” in the search for the victim, Nor Hisham said the existing methods were too risky for the rescuers, and this needed to be weighed against the risks and probabilities.
He said he was extremely concerned about the safety of the divers after watching the SAR activities at 4am yesterday.
“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 entered its eighth day yesterday, Nor Hisham said the chances were quite slim with the current methods.
On Aug 23, an Indian woman identified as Vijayalaksmi, 48, disappeared after falling into the 8m-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.
Meanwhile, firefighters entered the pump station of the Indah Water Konsortium plant in Pantai Dalam twice yesterday to check sewage residue and track down any clues in the search for the sinkhole victim.
Bernama reported it observed the personnel putting on special white personal protective equipment and helmets at noon and 3.35pm.
Each inspection was carried out for almost 30 minutes, to find, track and identify the whereabouts of the victim and if she was at the terminal point.
The SAR at the plant was suspended at 4.45pm and will resume today.
