Masjid India sinkhole victim still not found

 

The fire and rescue department told reporters at the scene that two scuba divers had entered a 1.5m-deep chamber in the sinkhole to search for the woman. (Bernama pic)

KUALA LUMPUR: 

The woman who fell into an eight-metre deep sinkhole in Jalan Masjid India this morning has still not been found despite an excavator being brought in to assist in the search this evening.

During the search, firefighters excavated around a 1.5m-deep chamber which was constructed with concrete.

After more than 12 hours, fire and rescue department operations director Nordin Pauzi told reporters at the scene that two scuba divers had entered the chamber in the excavated area to search for the woman, an Indian national.

When asked about the possibility of the 48-year-old woman being carried away by the current, Nordin said his men were studying the water flow and pipe diameter.

Meanwhile, Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Sharif said that Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) was on-site to assist the firefighters and Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL).

She also said all utility agencies had been asked to check their related assets.

In a statement, DBKL said Maimunah met with the victim’s husband to express her sympathy.

The victim was walking from Selangor Mansion to Lebuh Ampang at 8.22am when the sinkhole opened up on the sidewalk.

City police chief Rusdi Isa said the woman had been on holiday in Malaysia for two months and was supposed to leave the country tomorrow.

Earlier today, Rusdi said the search and rescue efforts required careful planning as various factors – including the underground gas conditions – had to be taken into consideration. - FMT