GEORGE TOWN: The ceiling of the Penang court complex canteen at Light Street here came crashing down today, narrowly missing a patron sitting nearby.
A 2m by 1.5m plaster ceiling board fell, smashing a marble table, in the 12.15pm incident.
A plume of dust spread through the canteen, releasing a pungent smell. Moments later, a swarm of cockroaches scurried from the debris and escaped through the windows.
Three hatchlings in a nest, found among the debris, were quickly saved by patrons and placed in a box. In the gaping ceiling, more birds’ nests and more cockroaches could be seen.
The cafeteria is a popular spot for lawyers, court staff and the public in between court proceedings, but there were fewer people than usual at the time of the incident.
The cafeteria operator alerted the court registrar’s office about the incident.