Firefighters Battle Extreme Conditions in Masjid India Sinkhole Rescue
Picture Credit : The Sun
By Subaashinee Kupusamy,
5 September: Firefighters endured a grueling nine-day search and rescue operation in Masjid India, Kuala Lumpur, after an Indian tourist, G. Vijaya Lakshmi, 48, fell into an 8-meter-deep sinkhole on August 23. Despite the hazardous conditions, 29 fire divers participated in the mission, which ultimately had to be called off without finding the victim.
Senior Fire Officer 1 Mohd Nazri Abidin, who supervised the operation, described the mental and physical toll on the divers. Each dive, lasting about 30 minutes, required the divers to navigate a narrow 1.5-meter-diameter manhole, which was further constricted by stones and debris. Due to the space constraints, only one diver could operate at a time, lying flat with no room to maneuver.
To protect themselves from the sewer’s toxic gases, the divers wore full-body dry suits and were supplied oxygen from above, eliminating the need for oxygen tanks. Despite their disappointment at not recovering the victim, the rescue team prioritized safety throughout the operation.
Mohd Nazri noted the danger posed by debris and high-water pressure, which could have triggered additional incidents, such as a water column burst, endangering the divers’ lives.
Over 115 personnel were involved in the search, making it one of the most difficult operations the team had faced. While the mission was ultimately suspended for safety reasons, the team’s efforts demonstrated their unwavering dedication to finding the victim as stated in NST.
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