It’s the seventh day since Indian national Vijaya Lakshmi fell several metres down a sinkhole at Masjid India but authorities have yet to find her thus far.
Search for KL sinkhole victim not stopping soon
Speaking to a group of reporters who gathered at the scene, Dang Wangi district police chief Assistant Commissioner Sulizme Affendy Sulaiman said the ongoing search for Vijaya will continue as usual.
The agencies who are involved in the SAR operation have been given permission by the Federal Territories minister (Dr Zaliha Mustafa) to continue its efforts in finding the victim.
“As such, we are even more determined to locate the victim and we pray that she will be found soon,” he said.
Search efforts hampered by obstructed sewer manhole
Meanwhile, Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department’s (JBPM) Director-general (operations) Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad, who was also present, told reporters that obstructions in the sewer manhole at Wisma Yakin is causing a backlog of debris.
As such, he said the SAR team will begin to clear away the 15-metre long backlog in stages starting from 5pm today.
Summary of events
On Aug 23, Vijaya was caught on CCTV plunging down the sinkhole as horrified bystanders watched.
Upon hearing the news of the unfortunate incident, her family has been grieving and coming to terms with the possibility that they might never see her again.