The search for an Indian tourist who disappeared after being swallowed by a sinkhole in Malaysia’s capital has been halted, as authorities have deemed it too “high risk” to continue. The search has now been stalled eight days after the incident occurred.
Vijaya Lakshmi Gali, 48, was walking along a road in Kuala Lumpur on 23 August when the pavement beneath her suddenly gave way. The ground collapsed into an eight-meter sinkhole, causing Ms. Gali to plunge into it and vanish from sight. The shocking incident has since captivated the attention of Malaysia.
Despite extensive search efforts, rescuers have found no trace of Ms. Gali except for her slippers, which were discovered during an initial 17-hour search. Rescue teams have been attempting to locate her in the city’s sewer system, but the challenging conditions have made the search increasingly difficult.
The country’s Fire and Rescue Department has now announced that it is too dangerous to send additional divers into the sewers to search for Ms. Gali, according to a report from the Straits Times. The sewers are reportedly clogged with solid waste, including human excretion, hair, and cooking oil, creating nearly impassable conditions for those trying to navigate the fast-moving pipes.
In addition to the risks posed by the hazardous obstructions, the narrowness of the sewers adds further danger for divers. Nor Hisham Mohamad, the department’s director-general, expressed concern for the divers’ safety after observing the search efforts in the early hours of Friday. He noted that the entry point was only about 60 centimeters wide, raising fears that the divers could become trapped.
The situation was made even more perilous by the “piston effect” from the water pressure, which could prevent divers from retreating, creating a highly dangerous scenario. This concern led to the decision to quickly pull out two divers who had entered the sewers early on Thursday, as the risks were deemed too great.
Further complicating the situation, a second sinkhole appeared on Wednesday approximately 50 meters from the original site where Ms. Gali disappeared. This new sinkhole has heightened concerns about public safety in the area, leading to increased caution among authorities.
The search operation has employed various methods, including tracker dogs, remote cameras, and ground-penetrating radar, in an effort to locate blockages and find any clues to Ms. Gali’s whereabouts. Despite these efforts, the search has yet to yield any substantial results.
Police revealed that Ms. Gali had traveled to Malaysia with her husband and friends about two months ago for a vacation. The tragic accident occurred just a day before they were scheduled to return home. In light of the ongoing search, the family’s visas have been extended as they anxiously await further news.