A vendor was killed and another injured when a section of roof at Pak Khlong Talat market collapsed yesterday.
Phra Nakhon district officials and rescue workers inspect a collapsed roof at the Pak Khlong Talat market. One vendor was killed and another injured when a section of the roof at the popular flower market caved in yesterday. PATIPAT JANTHONG
The market, in Bangkok's Phra Nakhon district, is one of the country's largest wholesale markets for flowers and vegetables. It was undergoing structural modifications when part of its roof gave way about 10am yesterday.
The section of roof fell on Somnuek Thianchai, a vegetable vendor, and Malee Kaewmontri, a fruit vendor.
Somnuek, 40, was crushed to death by the falling roof while 51-year-old Ms Malee sustained bruising to her body.
Rescue workers pulled the the two vendors from the wreckage and took them to Klang Hospital, where Somnuek was pronounced dead.
A vendor who witnessed the collapse, identified only as Tee, said renovations had been under way at the market for the past three months.
A strong gust of wind caused the roof to collapse, the vendor said.
Pol Col Sarnsoen Chaisathit, chief of Phra Nakhon police, yesterday declared the area where the roof collapsed off-limits.
He said district officials would inspect all of the market's recent modifications and that the market's operators would also be called in for questioning.