With the search and rescue (SAR) operation for the tragic sinkhole incident at Kuala Lumpur’s Jalan Masjid India now called off, the victim’s family has reportedly accepted fate and returned to India this evening.
However, before going back home across the Indian Ocean, the family of the victim, 48-year-old Vijayaletchumy visited the sinkhole site earlier today to perform the Hindu religious rituals for her.
The victim’s family performed a religious ceremony at the sinkhole site before leaving Malaysia
According to Astro Awani, Vijayaletchumy’s husband, son and sister performed the final rites for her in a heartwrenching ceremony at the scene of the incident.
As part of the ceremony, the family lit oil lamps and rang bells at the scene. Furthermore, they were also seen taking a clump of soil from the scene and putting it inside a plastic bag, presumably to take back to India.
Noor Fahmey Md Azhar shared a video of the sombre ceremony, which was reposted by Astro Awani here:
Berat mata memandang berat lagi bahu yang memikul. Namun ahli keluarga G Vijaya Lakshmi, rakyat India yang hilang selepas terjatuh ke lubang sedalam lapan meter di Jalan Masjid India di sini pada 23 Ogos lalu akur dengan ‘lukisan takdir’ dan mengambil keputusan untuk kembali keā¦ pic.twitter.com/dyBHLhPdxk
ā Astro AWANI (@501Awani) September 1, 2024
Astro Awani added that it is understood that the victim’s family departed back to India at 5pm today.
Previously, we shared how Federal Territories Minister Dr Zaliha asserted that the family understands the decision to call off the SAR operation and that the Government is considering giving compensation for the tragic incident.
The victim, vijayaletchumy
Efforts have now shifted to search and recovery and we hope that despite all odds, the victim would be found and that her family would get closure.
Also read: KL Sinkhole: Victimās Family Understands Decision to Call Off Search, Govt May Give Compensation
