23-8-2024 (KUALA LUMPUR) A routine Friday morning in Kuala Lumpur’s bustling Masjid India district took a shocking turn when a 48-year-old Indian woman was swallowed by an 8-metre deep sinkhole that suddenly opened beneath her feet. The incident, which occurred in one of the Malaysian capital’s most popular shopping areas, has sparked a frantic rescue operation involving specialised teams and heavy machinery.
The victim, believed to be a tourist, was reportedly walking with her family when the pavement gave way without warning. The collapse happened on a busy pedestrian street sandwiched between a shopping centre and the Masjid India mosque, mere steps from the city hall and Malaysia’s Independence Square.
Mohd Riduan Akhyar, Operation Commander from the Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department, confirmed that Special Tactical Operation and Rescue Team (STORM) and K-9 units had been swiftly deployed to the scene. “A 48-year-old Indian adult female victim fell into a hole and was buried underground,” Mohd Riduan stated, adding that search and rescue operations were in full swing.
TRIGGER WARNING
Video footage of the sinkhole pic.twitter.com/nBUJNisow0
— @ (@anthraxxx781) August 23, 2024
The area, known for its vibrant atmosphere and popular with shoppers, was especially crowded due to the weekly Friday prayers at the nearby mosque. The timing of the incident has added to the complexity of the rescue effort, with emergency services having to navigate through throngs of worshippers and curious onlookers.
More than 15 rescuers were mobilised following an emergency call at 8:22 am. Eyewitness accounts and photographs from the scene depict a harrowing sight, with rescuers utilising excavators and ladders to descend into the cavernous opening. The sinkhole, crisscrossed by utility pipes and showing signs of underground water flow, presents a challenging environment for the rescue teams.
The collapse comes in the wake of recent flash floods that affected parts of the district on Thursday afternoon. The area, straddled by the city’s two main rivers, Klang and Gombak, experienced overflow after heavy rainfall, potentially contributing to the destabilisation of the ground.
