Five days after an Indian woman, Vijaya Laxmi, went missing in a sinkhole along a street in Malaysia, authorities in Kuala Lumpur are continuing round-the-clock search and rescue operations in an attempt to locate her.
The Indian High Commission is in touch with the family of Ms Vijay Laxmi and is providing them updates on the search and rescue operations.
48-year-old Vijaya Lakshmi Galli, who frequently travels to Malaysia and Singapore for business, went missing after falling into an 8-metre deep pit. She was on her way to a temple when the ground suddenly caved in. Her husband and son somehow managed to escape.
According to the Indian High Commission in Kuala Lumpur, “Search and Rescue (SAR) teams are methodically exploring new possible routes and probable locations of the missing Indian woman.”
In a post on micro-blogging site X, the Indian High Commission today said that “search is ongoing to locate the Indian national (Ms Vijaya Laxmi Gali) who fell into a sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur on Friday 23rd August.”
Malaysian authorities continue their search for the fourth day now, to find Indian national Ms Vijaya Laxmi Gali who fell into a sinkhole in KL on Friday 23 August. The concerned authorities – (Police, Fire and Rescue Department, Indah Water Association, KL Federal Territory… pic.twitter.com/PPpt4qRfMg
— India in Malaysia (@hcikl) August 26, 2024
“The local authorities are now being assisted by the police, Fire and Rescue Department, Indah Water Association, KL Federal Territory agencies, apart from the civil defence forces and special scientific teams equipped with sophisticated equipment,” it said.
Search and rescue operations
Describing the search operation, the Indian High Commission said, “After clearing parts of the drainage system, the search is being enhanced with special techniques, including high-pressure water jets to clear obstructions, remote cameras to map inaccessible areas, and ground penetrating radar.”
“The Indian High Commission is in close contact with the concerned agencies involved in the search operation as it has entered its fifth day. Officials are also in touch with the family members to provide continued support,” it said.
Homecoming status
Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N Chandrababu Naidu had directed officials of the Andhra Pradesh Non-Resident Telugu (APNRT) Society to ensure that the search operation is conducted effectively.
Vijaya Lakshmi Galli, 48, who frequently travels to Malaysia and Singapore for business
The Chief Minister along with Human Resource Development Minister Nara Lokesh has been closely monitoring the situation for the last five days.
