KUALA LUMPUR: Rescue personnel have been sighted climbing down one of the manholes about 50m from the sinkhole in search of Indian tourist Vijayaletchumy.
Fire and Rescue Department and Civil Defence Force personnel were seen opening the manhole about 9.30am today.
Some of the personnel were seen carrying rope and other equipment before climbing into the manhole.
An Indah Water Konsortium truck is parked next to the manhole.
There has been no new leads to locate Indian tourist Vijayaletchumy, 48, who fell into a sinkhole that opened under her feet along Jalan Masjid India.
Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim, who has been following the progress of the operation, indicated that the search for the victim would be continued, while Dang Wangi police chief Assistant Commissioner Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman also made similar assurances during a media conference yesterday evening, stating that the SAR team did not place any deadline on the search, which will continue till the victim is found
Meanwhile, residents at the 160-unit Malayan Mansion flats have voiced concerns over their safety as the sinkhole that occurred on Friday was not more than 50m away, and claimed that the heavy rain in the past few days might affect soil structure in the area.
Kuala Lumpur Mayor Datuk Seri Dr Maimunah Mohd Shariff, however, has provided assurances that Kuala Lumpur, including Jalan Masjid India, is safe and there is no concrete evidence to support online claims that a giant sinkhole might potentially occur in the city at any moment.