The Bank of Valletta branch at the Preluna, in Sliema, was closed over the past few days due to a bad odour caused by a dead rat entrapped in the soffit.

The bank said on Wednesday the branch would be temporarily closed “to allow unexpected and urgent maintenance works to be carried out within the premises”.

In a statement yesterday, the bank denied that the closure was due to a rat infestation, as had been reported in the media after pest control personnel were seen cleaning up the building. It said staff complained of a bad odour emanating from a section of the premises and the branch was immediately closed to investigate the source and take remedial action.

“The source of the smell was traced to one dead rat entrapped above the soffit, which had entered the premises from outside,” it said. “The branch will be reopened once the necessary securing and cleaning up of the premises is completed,” the bank said.

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