ANN/THE STAR – The search and rescue (SAR) operation for the missing Indian national has been halted at the sinkhole site on Jalan Masjid India but will continue at the Pantai Dalam IWK sewage plant, says the Fire and Rescue Department.
Fire and Rescue Department director-general Datuk Nor Hisham Mohamad said the decision was made after findings revealed that it was too risky to continue SAR activities using scuba diving methods.
He said the Fire Dept would suggest alternative methods to the Minister in the Prime Minister’s Department (Federal Territories), Dr Zaliha Mustafa and the Kuala Lumpur City Hall (DBKL) at a meeting this afternoon to determine the direction of SAR efforts.
“Besides posing a high risk to scuba divers, there are also obstructions difficult for divers to navigate,” said Nor Hisham.
Immediately after arriving at the Pantai Dalam IWK sewage plant at 8.40am, the SAR team, consisting of the Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) and IWK workers, was seen discussing their operational planning.
A Bernama survey in the area saw a Fire Rescue Tender (FRT) and a JBPM van as well as nearly 10 firefighters preparing to carry out their duties.
On August 23, an Indian woman identified as Vijayalakshmi, was walking on a pavement with her family when she fell and disappeared into the sinkhole.
The SAR operation was activated on the same day, involving personnel from various security forces and local authorities who employed multiple techniques, including jetting, flushing and water suction to clear the incident site.
