Malaysian authorities are ramping up search efforts to find the female tourist who fell into a sinkhole a week ago.
Vijaya Lakshmi Gali, fell victim to the 26ft crater en route to a local temple in Kuala Lumpur's Masid India neighborhood while on holiday with her husband and friends.
Rescuers have been searching for seven days using water jets, excavators, tracker dogs, remote cameras, and ground-penetrating radar. Only her shoes have been found.
The focus has been on flushing portions of the drainage system and using remote cameras to access hard-to-reach areas.
Efforts to locate the 48-year-old have been hampered by strong undercurrents, unstable ground, and a newly formed second sinkhole nearby. Some roads have been closed for safety.
Gali had been in the country for around two months, and was set to return home to India the day after the accident.
A second sinkhole appeared Wednesday about 50 meters from where the woman disappeared, leading to concerns about the structural integrity of the area.
There are now fears about the safety of the task force formed to inspect sewage pipes and ensure the surrounding areas remain intact.
Nor Hisham Mohammad, the deputy director of the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department, confirmed that the search efforts will persist.
He said earlier attempts by two scuba divers to enter the sewage system were derailed because the conditions weren't safe. An object has been detected in the underground network, but re-entering the network can only be achieved if their safety is ensured.
Sinkholes in Malaysia are rare, but the incident is not isolated; Kuala Lumpur specifically has experienced similar issues in the past. Last year, a soil slip was reported in the same location, drawing attention to ongoing concerns about the city's infrastructure.
The city's Mayor, Maimunah Mohamad Sharif, has assured residents of the city's safety, emphasizing that a task force is actively inspecting and evaluating the safety of surrounding infrastructure.
This is the second major sinkhole incident to take place in Asia this week.
On Thursday, yet another 26ft chasm appeared in the heart of Seoul, South Korea, swallowing a white SUV in the process.
The vehicle's 82-year-old driver and his 76-year-old passenger were swiftly rescued, though the woman suffered a cardiac arrest and remains in a delicate condition.
Locals were alarmed to see the affected area so close to residential housing.
Sinkholes are markedly more common there—at least 879 sinkholes were reported across the country between 2019 and June 2023.
Most of these have been attributed to aging sewer systems, water leaks, or construction activity.
Despite ongoing efforts by authorities to monitor and repair vulnerable areas, rapid urban development has strained the country's infrastructure.
This article includes reporting from The Associated Press
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