The search for an Indian tourist who was swallowed by a sinkhole in Malaysia’s capital has stalled after being deemed “too risky”.
Vijaya Lakshmi Gali was walking along a road in Kuala Lumpur on 23 August when the pavement beneath her suddenly collapsed. She plunged into an 8-metre-deep (26ft) sinkhole and disappeared. Rescuers have found no trace of her so far except for her slippers.
The search operation has involved tracker dogs, remote cameras and ground-penetrating radar.
As the search entered its eighth day on Saturday, the country’s fire and rescue department said it was too dangerous to send down divers, according to the Straits Times.
“There are various factors for halting the operation, which include the safety and health of the rescue personnel,” said Dr Zaliha Mustafa, a minister in the prime minister’s department.
Searchers have flushed portions of the underground drainage system using high-pressure water jets and excavators to remove debris.
Two divers entered early on Thursday but it was too dangerous and they were pulled out before they could reach the obstacle.
Authorities said a soil slip was also reported in the same location last year. A second sinkhole appeared on Wednesday about 50 metres from where the woman disappeared, causing concern over public safety. Some roads in the area have been closed.
Maimunah Mohd Sharif, the mayor of Kuala Lumpur, has reassured the public of the city’s safety. She said a taskforce has been formed to inspect sewage pipes and assess the safety of structures in the surrounding area.
Police said Gali came to Malaysia with her husband and friends about two months ago for a holiday. The accident occurred a day before they were due to return home.