29-8-2024 (Kuala Lumpur) The search for an Indian woman who disappeared into a sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India last Friday has entered its seventh day, as rescue teams remain determined to locate the missing tourist. The incident, which has gripped the Malaysian capital, has led to intensified efforts and raised concerns about urban infrastructure safety.
Vijayaletchumy, a 48-year-old Indian national, vanished on 23 August when she fell into an eight-metre deep sinkhole whilst en route to a nearby temple. The sudden collapse of the pavement has prompted a comprehensive search and rescue (SAR) operation, drawing resources from multiple agencies including the Royal Malaysia Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and the Civil Defence Force.
As dawn broke on the seventh day of the search, rescue teams were observed assembling at the site, ready to resume their efforts. The operation continues to focus on the immediate vicinity of the incident on Jalan Masjid India, with authorities employing a range of techniques in their quest to locate Vijayaletchumy
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In response to the ongoing situation, local authorities have expanded safety measures, cordoning off the entire length of Jalan Masjid India with yellow tape. This precautionary step has resulted in the closure of numerous businesses in the area, prioritising public safety over commercial activities.
The search efforts have been multifaceted, utilising both traditional and modern methods. Tracker dog units (K9) have been deployed to assist in the search, while the ‘jetting’ method has been employed to explore underground cavities. Despite these extensive efforts, the whereabouts of Vijayaletchumy remain unknown.
In a parallel development, the search has extended to the Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) plant in Pantai Dalam. A dedicated team comprising members of the Fire and Rescue Department and IWK staff arrived early this morning to continue their investigation. Previous attempts to search the IWK tank on Sunday and Monday yielded no positive results, and a surface search conducted two days ago also failed to uncover any new leads.
