Footage shows firemen being lowered into the sewers as they continue the search today for a shopper who was sucked into a sinkhole in Kula Lumpur, Malaysia, on April 23.

Vijayaletchumy, 48, from India, was on a holiday with family when she was walking along the street and the hole suddenly opened up, dragging her into a 30ft deep abyss.

She has not been seen since - raising fears she has been swallowed up in the city's sprawling underground sewage system.

Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department (JBPM) deputy director Datuk Nor Hisham Mohammad said rescue efforts would continue until the missing woman is found.

He said: 'Rescue personnel are working to remove debris and blockages along a stretch of sewer 44 metres long from the sinkhole to Wisma Jakel to reach an object lodged along the span.

'The chamber is close to Wisma Yakin, and we're using vices, rope, water pressure, and manual labour to slowly remove debris from this sewage chamber.'

CCTV footage from the Jalan Masjid India area of the capital city shows the woman plunging into the chasm as shocked onlookers scrambled away.

The Indian High Commission said it is assisting the woman's shocked family with visa extensions and paperwork.