ANN/THE STAR – The Malaysian Search and Rescue (SAR) operation for Indian tourist Vijayalaksmi, 48, who fell into a sinkhole in Jalan Masjid India, has been officially called off on the ninth day of the operation on Saturday.
Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa said the decision was made after presenting a report to the Cabinet as well as getting views from experts including from the Fire and Rescue Department, the police, Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) and other relevant agencies.
“The SAR is stopped due to various factors, including the safety and health of rescue personnel given the strong current in the search area.
“The family of the victim has been informed, and we are in constant contact with them and the Indian High Commission,” she told reporters at Jalan Masjid India on Saturday.
On August 23, Vijayalaksmi, 48, a tourist from India, went missing after falling into an eight-meter deep hole caused by a sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India while en route to a nearby temple.
A SAR operation involving security forces and local authorities was launched the same day. Since the first day of the SAR, the team has employed various techniques, including jetting, flushing, and pumping water out of the site to locate the victim.
