Indian woman vanishes in Kuala Lumpur sinkhole tragedy
Family conducts rituals at sinkhole site after search is called off
The family of an Indian woman, who tragically vanished after falling into a sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur, visited the site where she disappeared. Vijaya Lakshmi Gali, 48, fell into the 8-metre-deep sinkhole, and her husband, son, and sister performed rituals there. The search for her, which began immediately after the incident, was called off after nine days due to safety concerns.
A video shared by an outlet shows the family conducting the rituals, including lighting oil lamps and ringing bells as part of a Hindu ceremony. The video also includes footage of the moment Gali was swallowed by the sinkhole. The family collected soil from the site, adhering to their customs.
On 1 September, the family held a final religious ceremony at the location before returning to India. This followed an announcement by Minister Zaliha Mustafa that the search operation was halted after extensive efforts proved unsuccessful.
🔴🔵🟡 SEARCH CONTINUES FOR 6TH DAY AFTER INDIAN WOMAN FALLS IN A SINKHOLE IN MALAYSIA
An Indian woman was walking with her husband and children on a pavement in Kuala Lumpur when the ground suddenly opened, and a 26-foot-deep sinkhole swallowed her.
The woman, Vijayalakshmi,… pic.twitter.com/ebo0mlqCwZ
— SVS NEWS AGENCY (@svsnewsagency) August 30, 2024
Social media users expressed their condolences, with many highlighting the family’s anguish. One user remarked on the difficulty of achieving closure without recovering the body, while another commented on the sadness of the authorities’ inability to retrieve her remains. A third noted the traumatic nature of the experience for the grieving family.
Gali, originally from Andhra Pradesh, India, prompted authorities to employ various search methods, including sniffer dogs and scuba units, although these efforts did not yield results. Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim assured that Kuala Lumpur is safe for tourists, citing a study that identified the cause of the incident and confirmed the city’s safety.
What Other Media Are Saying
- The Guardian reports that the search for an Indian tourist who fell into an eight-meter deep sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur has stalled due to safety concerns, with only her sandals recovered and rescue efforts deemed too hazardous.(read more)
- ABC News reports that a 48-year-old Indian tourist, Vijayaletchumy, disappeared into an 8-meter-deep sinkhole in Kuala Lumpur, possibly swept away by underground currents.(read more)
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some common questions asked about this news
Who was the Indian woman who disappeared in Kuala Lumpur?
The woman was 48-year-old Vijaya Lakshmi Gali from Andhra Pradesh, India.
What rituals did the family perform at the sinkhole site?
The family lit oil lamps, rang bells, and took soil from the site.
Why was the search for Vijaya Lakshmi Gali called off?
The search was called off after nine days due to safety fears.
What did Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim say about tourist safety in Kuala Lumpur?
He announced that Kuala Lumpur is safe for tourists following a study on the incident.
How did social media react to the incident?
People shared tributes, expressed sadness, and prayed for the family during this distressing time.
