Staff Reporter:
At least six people were killed in separate lightning strike incidents across three upazilas of Chapainawabganj on Thursday afternoon amid heavy rain.
One more person was injured in the incidents.
The deceased were identified as Abdullah, 17, son of Md Rabbil of Atahar village in Chapainawabganj Sadar upazila; Mahmuda Begum, 19, wife of Dubai expatriate Abdus Rob of Choknareandra village under Chakkirti union in Shibganj upazila; Sadiya, 16, daughter of Md Kashem of Ranibari Bazarpara village under the same union; Mesbahul, 14, son of Md Fitu of Shikarpur Southpara village under Mobarakpur union in Shibganj upazila; Sumiara Begum, 40, wife of Abdur Raqib of Lahabari village under Fatepur union in Nachol upazila; and Hasan Ali Lalu, son of Md Shafiul of Goshaipur village.
The injured, identified as Ziaur Rahman, 36, of Lahabari village in Nachol upazila, has been admitted to the Upazila Health Complex.
Police and local sources said the incidents occurred when sudden rain accompanied by lightning struck while people were engaged in farming and other outdoor activities.
Officer-in-Charge of Chapainawabganj Sadar Police Station Ekramul Hossain said Abdullah was struck by lightning while going to a field near his house to bring cattle. He was taken to Chapainawabganj District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
Officer-in-Charge of Shibganj Police Station Matiur Rahman said Mahmuda Begum and Sadiya were killed by lightning while working in an orchard in the afternoon.
Local Union Parishad chairman also confirmed the incidents.
In another incident, Mesbahul died after being struck by lightning near a girls’ high school in Shikarpur area, local representatives said.
Nachol Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sukomal Chandra Debnath said Sumiara Begum was struck by lightning around 4:30pm while returning home after cutting grass from a field, while Ziaur Rahman was injured in the same incident.
Local UP member and village police confirmed the matter.
