Strong undercurrents make it difficult for divers to approach discovered objects

KUALA LUMPUR: The situation was tense and full of suspense during the search and rescue operation this morning as two firefighters descended into the sewer at the site of the sinkhole incident along Jalan Masjid India to search the sewer tunnel for the Indian woman who has been missing since last Friday.

According to observations on the ground, two firefighters from the Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) Diving Team (PPDA), fully equipped with diving equipment, were seen descending into the hole at 3:06 am, closely watched by members of the SAR team.

The diving operation was carried out after JBPM discovered an obstruction in the form of an object stuck between the clear bottom site and the second sewer located about 80 meters away yesterday.

But less than half an hour later, the two firefighters were seen being pulled up by rope and climbing out of the hole with the help of other team members before being decontaminated and cleaned.

Bernama was told that the two divers were lifted because strong undercurrents in the sewer tunnel prevented them from getting close to where the object was believed to be stuck.

As of 4:30 am this morning, there was no official statement from the JBPM to the media, who have been waiting since midnight for an update on the results of the SAR's latest efforts.

Yesterday, JBPM deputy director-general (operations) Datuk Ahmad Izram Osman said his team had discovered an obstruction in the form of an object stuck between the open area and the second sewer tunnel, which is about 80 metres away from the construction site.

He said the information was gained by Detection Unit (K9) dogs Denti and Frankie, who were brought to the scene of the incident last Tuesday and were also spotted by cameras.

After the object was discovered, water and sewage were pumped out late yesterday night, with eight divers assisted by 75 men operating the machinery and logistics.

During the sinkhole incident last Friday, a woman named Vijayaletchumy, 48, of Kuppam, Andhra Pradesh, India, fell into an eight-meter deep hole and went missing while the SAR operation continues for the seventh day today.