PETALING JAYA: Search and rescue efforts to find the Indian national who fell into an 8m-deep sinkhole in Jalan Masjid India, in Kuala Lumpur, entered its fifth day today.
The various authorities involved had gathered as early as 8am and were seen holding discussions and assigning tasks to carry out the SAR operation for the day, Bernama reported.
The woman’s son, identified as Surya, 26, was also seen at the search site at about 9am, hoping to get some updates on the SAR operation.
In the incident on Friday morning, the victim, identified as Vijayaletchumy, 48, had been walking on a concrete path outside Malayan Mansion when an 8m-deep sinkhole suddenly opened up and swallowed her alive.
Meanwhile, the sewer gases that had accumulated at the 15m-deep sewage tank at the Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) plant in Pantai Dalam were found to be highly toxic and flammable, according to Bernama.
The national news agency quoted a source, who said the gas was identified by SAR team members who inspected the tank over the past two days.
"There are various hazardous gases in the tank, including hydrogen sulfide and methane, which are both highly toxic and flammable," the source was quoted as saying.
Hydrogen sulfide is a colourless, highly toxic, and flammable gas with a distinct smell of rotten eggs. It is produced by biological activity when bacteria decomposes organic matter in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions).
According to the source, SAR personnel have been using specialised personal protective equipment (PPE), designed for single use, and breathing apparatus when entering the tank.
“The search operation inside the tank involves using hands and specialised tools. SAR team members must avoid making abrupt movements or disturbing the pile of excrement excessively, as the accumulated methane gas is flammable. Everything must be handled with great care.
"Search efforts will continue in the tank and the filter area to identify any foreign objects trapped after the faeces were pumped out. As of yesterday, nothing has been found," the source said.
