Malaysia ends search for woman lost in Kuala Lumpur sinkhole

Malaysian authorities have concluded a nine-day search and rescue operation for Vijaya Lakshmi Gali, an Indian national who fell into a sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur on August 23. The decision to halt the rescue efforts was influenced by concerns regarding the safety and health of the personnel involved. The operation transitioned into a search and recovery phase, as reported by Zaliha Mustafa, a minister in the Prime Minister’s Department in the Federal Territories. The incident occurred when surveillance footage captured Gali walking along a busy road, moments before the sinkhole opened beneath her. Despite extensive efforts from multiple agencies, including the Royal Malaysian Police and the Fire and Rescue Department, rescuers were unable to locate her. Various techniques were employed, such as excavations, flushing the drain system, and using remote cameras to explore inaccessible areas. Authorities only recovered a pair of slippers belonging to Gali, which raised concerns about her fate. The extensive search involved divers exploring the city’s sewage lines and high-pressure water jets to clear obstacles, but these efforts yielded no further evidence of her whereabouts. The decision to shift from rescue to recovery reflects the challenges faced during the operation and the need to prioritize the safety of the rescue teams. The incident has drawn attention to the risks associated with sinkholes in urban areas and the importance of effective emergency response strategies.