Malda, 21 March (H.S.): A person was killed and several others injured after the roof of a dilapidated market building collapsed in English Bazar area of West Bengal’s Malda district on Saturday, officials said.

The incident took place at the Netaji Commercial Market in Rathbari area, where the roof caved in following overnight rainfall.

The deceased was identified as Mintu Sarkar, a night guard at the market. A municipal sanitation worker was seriously injured in the incident and is undergoing treatment at Malda Medical College and Hospital.

According to municipal sources, the condition of the market building had been deteriorating for a long time, raising questions over the lack of timely repair or renovation.

Uttam Basak, general secretary of the Malda Merchants’ Chamber of Commerce, alleged that demands for renovation had been raised since 2018 but no steps were taken by the civic authorities.

Heavy rain lashed the area on Friday night, leading to power outages across the town. After the rain continued through the night, the weakened structure collapsed on Saturday morning, trapping the night guard under the debris.

English Bazar Municipality chairman Krishnendu Narayan Chowdhury confirmed the incident and said the building had already been declared damaged.

“A notice had been issued for demolition of the structure. Further steps will be taken after the elections,” he said.

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Hindusthan Samachar / Priyanka Pandey