A wall of an abandoned rice mill collapsed at the Alasua market on the outskirts of Dhenkanal town on Sunday, killing four persons and leaving five others critically injured.
The deceased were identified as Rama Chandra Patra, Abhimanyu Biswal, Mayadhar Mallick and Sangram Sahu. Several two-wheelers were also crushed under the debris of the wall and damaged in the incident. The wall collapsed when trading was underway at a weekly vegetable market in the morning. The four, who were sitting near the wall, were crushed to death under the debris.
On being informed, ODRAF and Fire Services personnel reached the spot and began rescue operations. The injured were rushed to the District Headquarters Hospital. Later, three of the critically injured were shifted to the SCB Medical College Hospital in Cuttack.
Dhenkanal district Collector Nikhil Pavan Kalyan announced an ex-gratia of Rs 25,000 each to the next of kin of the deceased. Following the mishap, the district administration razed all walls at the market which were in dilapidated conditions.
“We are conducting an inquiry into how the wall caved in. Notices will be served to all the parties and action as deemed necessary will be taken (against them),” the official said.