Malaysia continues to intensify the search for the Indian tourist who fell into the sinkhole

On August 29, 2024, in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, the search for the Indian tourist who fell into the sinkhole a week ago entered its seventh day. Vijaya Lakshmi Gali, 48, was walking in the Dang Wangi area of Kuala Lumpur on August 23 when the sidewalk under her feet suddenly collapsed and she disappeared after falling into an 8-meter-deep sinkhole. As of now, the rescuers have only found her slippers and still haven't found her whereabouts.

The search operation has adopted various methods, including flushing part of the drainage system, using high-pressure water guns and excavators to remove debris, using search and rescue dogs, and using remote cameras and ground-penetrating radar to map hard-to-reach areas. Noor Hisham Mohamed, deputy director of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, said that the search will continue. If conditions are safe, divers may be sent to enter the sewage tunnel to check the detected obstacles. Although two divers entered earlier on Thursday, it was too dangerous and they were pulled out before reaching the obstacle.

The authorities said that a soil landslide was reported at the same location last year. On Wednesday, a second sinkhole appeared about 50 meters from where the woman disappeared, raising public safety concerns. Some roads in the affected area have been closed. Kuala Lumpur mayor Maimunah Mohd Sharif assured the public of city safety and said that a special task force has been set up to inspect sewage pipes and assess the safety of buildings in surrounding areas. It is reported that Gali came to Malaysia on vacation with her husband and friends about two months ago. This incident happened on the day before they were originally scheduled to return home.