Kuala Lumpur sinkhole: A timeline of rescue efforts at the one-week mark

Aug 27: Rescuers deploy ground penetrating radar as search efforts continue, including at Pantai Dalam treatment plant 7km away, where the sewer ends.

The victim’s son, Mr M Suria, 25, tells Bernama he last spoke with his mother on the phone at 1.30am on the day of the incident. He was in Thailand and had just got a tattoo of her name on his left arm. He rushed to Kuala Lumpur when informed of the incident by his brother-in-law.

Shops in the Masjid India area say business has declined significantly as locals and tourists stay away.

Residents in sinkhole-prone areas of Kuala Lumpur such as Brickfields call on authorities to publish the city’s underground mapping system to stay informed about the infrastructure beneath their neighbourhoods.

Aug 28: Another sinkhole opens up on Jalan Masjid India, 50m from the sinkhole that claimed Ms Vijayaletchumy, in the early hours of the day. No casualties are reported but the authorities close the entire 400m stretch of the road, with footpaths remaining open. 

Deputy Prime Minister Fadillah Yusof says an “integrity audit” of the sewerage system along Jalan Masjid India will be done after search efforts conclude.

Federal Territories Minister Zaliha confirms that approval of new construction in Kuala Lumpur has been temporarily halted. 

Kuala Lumpur City Hall says it will cancel its Merdeka Eve celebrations on Aug 30 out of respect for the victim. The celebration was to be held at Merdeka Square, a few hundred metres from the sinkhole site.