A woman has gone missing after falling into an eight-metre-deep sinkhole in the Kuala Lumpur city centre on Friday after the pavement caved in, burying her, Malaysian authorities said. The incident happened in the Dang Wangi area of the Malaysian capital. The local police chief, Sulizmie Affendy Sulaiman, said that based on witness accounts, the woman was walking along the pavement when the earth suddenly collapsed beneath her. Kuala Lumpur’s fire and rescue department, which received a distress call early on Friday, said the woman was believed to be an Indian national. Sulizmie said he could not confirm her identity as investigations were continuing. Rescuers have barricaded part of the area and used an excavator to clear the debris in the hole, but there was as yet no sign of the woman. “The search will continue until the victim is found,” Sulizmie said. He declined to comment when asked about the cause of the incident.

Search and Rescue Efforts

The search for the woman is ongoing, with rescuers facing several challenges.

The Water Current

Local police say the woman may have been swept away by underground water. The police chief, Rusdi Mohamad Isa, said there was a strong water flow underground and the woman might have been swept away. He said the search required careful planning because it involved public infrastructure. For instance, if pipes or drains were shut down, it could cause flooding in the area, he said.  “We can't act recklessly,” he added.

Underground Infrastructure

Rescuers are also having to work carefully around underground pipes and drains, which could pose a danger if they are disrupted. Rusdi told local media that gas and water pipes in the area meant they had to work carefully and deliberately.

Sinkhole Causes

Sinkholes generally form when underground water dissolves the rock on the surface, causing a hole to form. Although there is no precise data globally, geologists say they are reasonably common. Human injuries, however, are very rare. The likelihood of sinkholes forming can also be accelerated by drought or heavy rain, as well as human activities such as heavy pumping of groundwater or construction.

Previous Incidents

This is not the first time a sinkhole has opened up in this area. A “soil slip” was reported last year in the same location where the sinkhole appeared, but officials said that it had been fixed.

Concerns About Safety

The incident has raised concerns about the safety of the area. The Kuala Lumpur City Hall is conducting further analysis of the soil structure in the area. Businesses in the area have been advised to close temporarily for safety reasons.

A Tragic Incident

The disappearance of the woman is a tragic incident. The woman, a 48-year-old tourist from India, had been in Malaysia for two months and was due to return home the following day. She had come to Malaysia with her husband and several friends about two months ago for a vacation.

The Public’s Response

The incident has drawn widespread attention. Videos on social media show crowds of people watching rescue workers trying to make their way into the sinkhole. Some have ladders, while others are using hammers and diggers to try and clear the way. The authorities have urged the public to give the family some space.

Looking Ahead

The search for the woman continues. The authorities are using every expertise and technology available, and getting assistance from other agencies. The ministry will remap Kuala Lumpur to ensure the city is safe. They will get input from several parties, including the Geology Department, for the remapping. The authorities will assist the family by giving timely updates and communicating with the Indian High Commission on visa extension. It remains to be seen what the outcome of the search will be.