(Kuala Lumpur, 23rd) Although Malaysia has reported only 24 sinkhole incidents over the past five years, this nationwide 'invisible' crisis has drawn heightened attention from local rescue organizations.
The Malaysian International Search and Rescue Organization (MISAR) has, for the first time, incorporated sinkhole survival into its annual flood survival training program, in hopes of enhancing the emergency response capabilities of both rescue teams and the general public when faced with sudden sinkholes.
The organization’s chairman and founder, K. Balasuparamaniam, pointed out that accidents causing casualties—no matter involving one or ten people—should never be ignored. He described such incidents as a warning from above, urging everyone to stay alert and better prepare for unexpected situations.
In an exclusive interview with Bernama, he said that the sinkhole survival training not only educates on emergency response procedures but also teaches practical skills, such as how to “fall safely” to avoid head injuries.
He pointed out that if someone unfortunately falls into a sinkhole while walking, they should shift their body weight forward and fall face-first rather than backward during the descent. This is because falling backward may result in head or spinal injuries, while falling forward may likely only injure the palms.
He added that after falling into a sinkhole, one should quickly climb out from the side of the fall to avoid being hit by objects—such as cars—that may subsequently fall into the pit from the same direction. More importantly, swift escape is vital before being consumed by water flows.
"After a sinkhole occurs, there will usually be subsequent underground movement, similar to aftershocks. Therefore, when attempting to escape, use your palm to feel along the surface of objects, and do not stick your hands or fingers into small crevices to climb, as cement pipes may shift and trap your hands."
"However, avoid touching random places as there may be rats, snakes, etc. inside. We emphasize avoiding injuries, animal bites, or being trapped when falling into the pit."
He said if a person who has fallen into a pit cannot climb to the surface on their own, they should immediately signal for help by, for example, turning on their phone’s flashlight or tapping on the surroundings. However, do not strike too hard to avoid causing further collapse or movement of the structure.
He explained that if you fall into a water-filled cement pipe, you should first push yourself upward to float, breathe using the air pocket above the water surface, and tap on the pipe wall to make noise and attract external attention to seek rescue.
According to records from Malaysia’s Minerals and Geoscience Department, there have been 24 sinkhole incidents reported nationwide over the past five years, with Perak topping the list at 11 cases.
Kuala Lumpur and Penang each recorded 3 sinkhole cases, Kelantan had 2, while Negeri Sembilan, Kedah, Selangor, Melaka, and Perlis had 1 each.