A horrifying accident turned a busy afternoon into a nightmare in Howrah as two men lost their lives after being struck by a heavy iron rod falling from a multi-storey building. The incident occurred near the Howrah Municipal Corporation at a Trade Center. The deceased have been identified as Sheikh Irfan, a cap merchant, and Khokon, a porter.

Witnesses revealed that construction work was underway in the building’s stairwell since morning. As today was the Manglahat market day, the area was heavily crowded. Irfan and Khokon were standing beneath the building when a massive iron rod plummeted from the top, piercing through them. They were rushed to the Howrah Hospital in critical condition, but doctors declared them dead on arrival.

The tragedy has sparked intense tension in the locality, with locals accusing the construction agency of criminal negligence. Investigations revealed that the work was being carried out without any safety nets or protective barriers, despite being in a high-traffic zone. Howrah Police have cordoned off the area and are investigating the authorities responsible for this fatal security lapse.