Toxic gas becomes major challenge for SAR team

KUALA LUMPUR: The presence of dangerous gas accumulated in a 15-meter-high cesspool at the Indah Water Konsortium (IWK) Pantai Dalam plant has posed a major challenge for the search and rescue (SAR) team in locating the victim of a landslide on Jalan Masjid India.

Bernama reported that this issue came to light after the SAR team descended into the large tank, which contains sewage from around the capital. The team consisted of two members the day before yesterday and four members yesterday.

“There are various types of hazardous gases in the tank, including hydrogen sulfide and methane, which are not only toxic but also highly flammable,” a source said.

Hydrogen sulfide is a colorless, toxic, flammable gas with a smell similar to rotten eggs. It can result from biological processes when bacteria break down organic material in the absence of oxygen (anaerobic conditions).

The source added that SAR members wore special personal protective equipment (PPE) designed for single use only and used breathing apparatus while descending into the tank.

According to the source, SAR members are lowered using a rope system to the bottom of the tank and to the filtration area to search for any clues related to the victim.

“The search is conducted manually and with special tools. While inside the tank, SAR team members must avoid rough movements or disturbing the sewage piles forcefully because accumulated methane gas is highly flammable. Everything must be done carefully.

“Search operations will be carried out inside the tank and in the filtration area to detect any foreign objects trapped after all the sewage has been pumped out. As of yesterday, the results are still negative,” the source said.

Last Friday, the victim, identified as Vijayaletchumy, 48, went missing after falling into an eight-meter-deep hole following a landslide on Jalan Masjid India.

The victim, who was in the country with her family for a vacation, was reported to have been walking in the area to reach a nearby temple for breakfast when the incident occurred.