Woman plunges down 26ft sinkhole as pavement collapses
A woman has plunged down a 26ft sinkhole in Kuala Lumpa after the pavement collapsed in on itself, Malaysian authorities have said.
The 48-year-old Indian woman, who was walking in the Dang Wangi area of the city when the cave-in happened, has not been seen since.
Kuala Lumpur’s Fire and Rescue Department cordoned off the caved-in section and used an excavator to clear debris, after they received a distress call on Friday morning at 8.22am local time (12.12am GMT).
Around 15 rescuers were sent to the scene, however they have found no trace of the victim.
“We have conducted a manual search but failed to find the victim. We expect to continue with a more extensive excavation in the subsidence area soon,” Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Rozihan Anwar Mamat said according to local media.
“The search will continue until the victim is found,” said local police chief Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman. He added that 90 personnel from various other agencies have also joined in the operation.
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“We will look at CCTV footage and take statements from witnesses to get a clearer picture of what occurred.”
He declined to comment when asked about the possible condition of the woman, or the cause of the incident.
“No further details on the exact chronology of the incident can be provided at this time. We will update information once the victim is found,” the senior policeman was quoted as saying.
Rusdi Mohamad Isa, head of the Kuala Lumpur police, said the woman may have been swept away due to a strong water flow underground.
He said that the search needed to be carried out carefully because it involves public infrastructure: “We can’t act recklessly.”
Businesses in the area have been instructed to close temporarily due to safety concerns.
The woman, an Indian national, had come to Malaysia with her husband and some friends for a holiday. They were all due to return home on Saturday.