"Only Found Slippers After 8 Days"…Malaysia Faces Difficulties in Rescuing Woman Fallen into 8m Sinkhole

Malaysian fire authorities are conducting rescue operations at the sinkhole accident site in Kuala Lumpur on the 23rd (local time). [AP=Yonhap News]

In Kuala Lumpur, the capital of Malaysia, authorities are conducting rescue and search operations following an incident where an Indian tourist fell into a large sinkhole, but they have encountered difficulties.

On the 31st, foreign media such as AP and BBC reported that Malaysian authorities are mobilizing all available resources to rescue the woman, but the situation remains at an impasse.

48-year-old Vijaya Lakshmi Gali disappeared after falling into an 8-meter-deep sinkhole while walking along a road in Kuala Lumpur on the 23rd. So far, rescue teams have found no trace except for her slippers. The search operation has involved detection dogs, remote cameras, and ground-penetrating radar. The search team used high-pressure water jets and excavators to wash away debris and clear parts of the underground drainage system.

Malaysian authorities are also considering sending scuba divers into the sewage tunnels. Two divers previously entered but were pulled out before reaching obstacles due to the high risk. Notably, a second sinkhole appeared 50 meters from where the woman went missing, creating a dangerous situation. Some roads in the affected area have been closed since the accident. The accident site is a popular spot for tourists. Due to this incident, sales of nearby merchants have dropped by 50 to 70%, and some are considering closing their businesses to reduce losses.