KUALA LUMPUR: The authorities are searching along a 7km sewage line for a woman who was swallowed by a sinkhole in Masjid India here yesterday (Friday).
The sewage line is assessed from six manholes and one rescue personnel only in full protective equipment is sent in to avoid the danger posed by toxic gases from the sewer.
Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner of Police Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman said personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department had already entered one manhole to search for the victim.
"We believe there is a possibility that the victim may be trapped or located along these manholes. At 10.30am, the manhole in front of Wisma Yakin was opened and the fire department sent its personnel inside.
"Unfortunately, we could not find any signs that the victim was in that manhole," he said at a press conference here today (Saturday).
The six manholes were located in front of Wisma Yakin, in Jalan Melayu, at the Jalan Melayu intersection, in Dataran Merdeka, near Bank Pertanian Lebuh Pasar and in Bulatan Kinabalu.
Sulizmie said the operation, involving the Fire and Rescue Department, Kuala Lumpur City Hall and Indah Water Konsortium (IWK), was being conducted in stages.
"We are now focusing on the second manhole in Jalan Melayu. The search efforts are ongoing and we hope to find clues to see (what is) our next steps until the victim is found," he said.
When asked about the use of robotic or drone technology in the search, Sulizmie said such options would be considered if necessary.
"After completing our actions, InshaAllah, we will use any available technology to assist in the search," he said.
Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department assistant operations director M. Fatta M. Amin said only one officer was sent into each manhole due to the presence of toxic gases.
"The sewer pipe beneath the manhole is actually quite large. To prevent (any) accident, we sent only one officer at a time because the area is filled with toxic gases.
"Full personal protective equipment is required (while carrying out rescue operations) to ensure rescuers do not inhale any harmful gases," he said.
The sinkhole, which appeared yesterday, caused an Indian national in her 40s to fall into the pit.
Rescuers here could only find her slippers near the location after almost 17 hours of searching yesterday.