Family Of Sinkhole Victim Accepts Fate & Just Wants To See Her One Last Time
Vijaya Lakshmi's family has been waiting night and day at the scene of the accident since she disappeared.
By May Vin Ang — 27 Aug 2024, 06:23 PM
The family of Vijaya Lakshmi, the 48-year-old Indian tourist who fell into a sinkhole on Jalan Masjid India in Kuala Lumpur, is coming to terms with the tragic incident while still holding onto hope
They are keenly awaiting the outcome of the ongoing search and rescue (SAR) operation, hoping for one last chance to see her.
"They said they have accepted fate and do not have any expectations, but they just wish to see the victim's face again," said Arvend Applasamy, Special Officer to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, who met the family members on Monday, 26 August.
Special Officer to Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Ahmad Zahid Hamidi, Arvend Applasamy (centre), speaking to media after meeting with the victim's family on Monday, 26 August.
Image via Sinar Daily
Vijaya's family has been waiting night and day at the scene of the accident since she disappeared on Friday, 23 August
The victim's eldest son, who heard about the news while he was in Thailand, rushed back to Malaysia on Friday evening and was visibly distraught.
Meanwhile, Vijaya's husband and two other women relatives have been waiting at the scene since she fell into the ground.
According to The Star, they said the incident has left them in shock, and they have not been able to eat or drink.
The family was supposed to return home together to India on Saturday, 24 August, after their two-month holiday in Malaysia.
Vijaya's eldest son, 26-year-old Surya (in white), was visibly distraught on Friday evening, 23 August.
Image via @bernamadotcom (X)
Vijaya's relatives have been waiting for news at the accident site since Friday, 23 August.
Image via South China Morning Post
Vijaya's husband, Mathavan, looks on as the search continued on Sunday, 25 August.
Image via Bernama/Malay MailArvend said the government has granted the family a one-month visa extension to allow them to remain in Malaysia during the search
Meanwhile, he added that he has provided them with cash, food, and beverages to support them during their vigil.
Arvend mentioned that the government has also pledged to provide the family with accommodation and counselling, should they require it.
Acting as a translator for the family, Arvend also told reporters that the family has expressed their gratitude to the rescue teams, including the Fire and Rescue Department, the Royal Malaysia Police, Kuala Lumpur City Hall, and the Civil Defence Force, for their dedicated efforts in looking for their loved one.
The search for Vijaya has entered its fifth day
According to the New Straits Times, the Malaysian Nuclear Agency has joined the SAR efforts by bringing a ground-penetration radar to the site of the search today, 27 August.
Notably, the same equipment was used to locate buried victims during the landslide that occurred in Batang Kali in December 2022.
