Sinkhole: Strong undercurrents hamper divers from reaching 'object'

The situation was tense and full of anticipation in the search and rescue (SAR) operation early this morning when two firefighters went down the sewage channel at the site of the sinkhole incident along Jalan Masjid India.

They were diving into the sewage tunnel to find the Indian woman who had been missing since Friday.

Based on observations at the location, the Fire and Rescue Department diving team personnel who were fully equipped with scuba gear were seen descending into the hole at 3.06am, as members of the SAR team closely watched.

The diving process was carried out after the department yesterday detected an “object” stuck between the location of the clear soil and the second sewer, located approximately 80m away.

However, less than half an hour later, the two divers were seen being pulled up using a rope and they climbed back out of the hole with the help of other team members before being decontaminated and cleaned.

Bernama was made to understand that the divers exited the hole because they were unable to get close to the location of the object, due to strong undercurrents in the sewage tunnel.

Until 4.30am, no official statement from the department was made to the media who had been waiting since midnight to report the outcome of the latest SAR efforts.

Dogs and cameras

Yesterday, Fire and Rescue Department deputy director general (Operations) Ahmad Izram Osman said the object was detected through two Detection Unit (K9) dogs, Denti and Frankie, who were brought down to the scene last Tuesday, in addition to camera detection.

Following that, water and sewage were pumped out late last night while eight divers were assisted by 75 members who were manning the machinery and logistics.

During the sinkhole incident last Friday, Vijayaletchumy, 48, from Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, India fell into an 8-metre deep hole and went missing.

The SAR operation continues and has entered its seventh day.

- Bernama

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