KUALA LUMPUR: The search and rescue team (SAR) is facing challenges in locating the victim trapped in the sinkhole at Jalan Masjid India.
Kuala Lumpur Fire and Rescue Department deputy director Rozihan Anwar Mamat said in addition to requiring personnel entering the sewer to wear full personal protective equipment, they also have to dive in strong currents.
"We are working in strong current and risky air condition as we know that the sewage and septic areas contain methane gas.
"But, we have made plans and our Emergency Medical Rescue Services team is always with the divers," he said in a press conference here today.
Also in attendance were Minister in the Prime Minister's Department (Federal Territories) Dr Zaliha Mustafa, Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman and Indah Water Konsortium chief executive officer Narendran Maniam.
Rozihan added that after a diver completes his work in the sewer, he is immediately sent to the clinic for treatment.
"So far, we have six divers with us. We enter the area in pairs and in stages, not simultaneously, until we confirm that the area no longer has targets (indications of the victim in the manhole).
"We are using an air line system (air hose for scuba) because we cannot bring individual (oxygen) tanks due to the narrow space.
"The tanks are positioned above (the ground), while the divers are inside (the manhole)," he said.
Earlier, the authorities were searching along a 7km sewage line, which can be assessed from six manholes and one rescue personnel only in full protective equipment was sent in to avoid the danger posed by toxic gases from the sewer.
Sulizmie said personnel from the Fire and Rescue Department had already entered one manhole to search for the victim.
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.
The sinkhole, which appeared yesterday, caused an Indian national in her 40s to fall into the pit.
Rescuers here could only find a pair of slippers belonging to her near the location after almost 17 hours of searching yesterday.