Lightning kills 7 people in Netrokona, 2 in Manikganj

Lightning strikes have killed a total of 7 people in Netrokona and 2 people Manikganj districts of the country on Tuesday.

At the same time 8 people were severely injured in Netrokona and 2 people severely were injured in Manikganj.

In Netrokona, lightning strikes have killed 7 people and injured 8 people in 3 upazilas of the district.

Local police told The Business Standard that the deaths occurred between 2pm and 3pm, and two of the deceased victims are from Kendua, three from Khaliajuri and two from Madan upazilas of the district.

Among the deceased, Bayazid Mia, 42, hailed from Bairati village and Fazlur Rahman, 55, from Kuli village under Kendua upazila; Achek Mia, 32, and Bipul Mia, 28, hailed from Jagannathpur village and Monir Hossain, 30, from Batuail village in Khaliajuri upazila.

Besides, Hafeez Mohammad Sharif, 18, and Maulana Atabur Rahman, 21, hailed from West Fatehpur village under Madan upazila.

According to local sources, farmers Bayazid and Fazlur got struck by lightning while working in the rain at vegetable and paddy fields near their respective houses. Neighbours later took the duo to Kendua Upazila Health Complex, where the doctor declared them dead on arrival.

Seven people from Jagannathpur and Batuail villages under Khaliajuri upazila got stuck by the lightning while fishing at a local canal around 3pm. Local people then took them to the Madan Upazila Health Complex, where doctors declared Achek, Bipul and Monir dead.

Khaliajuri Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) AHM Ariful Islam said the bodies of deceased victims have been handed over to their families for burial. The surviving victims have been shifted to the Netrokona Modern Sadar Hospital for better treatment.

Around the same time, Hafeez and Atabur from Madan upazila died after getting struck by lightning while playing football in the rain at a field. Four injured people – including two teenagers and two women – have been admitted to the Madan Upazila Health Complex for treatment.

In Manikganj, lightning strikes have killed a day labourer and a school boy in the Sadar upazila of the district and injured 2 others.

The incidents took place around 5:30 pm on Tuesday.

The deceased were identified as Azmat Ali, 50, a day laborer of Ghior upazila and Asif Mollah, 14, a schoolboy of Giland village in Sadar upazila.

According local sources, Azmat was hit by lightning while returning home from his work in a nearby paddy field and died on the spot.

Around the same time, Asif and his two friends, Anik and Abdullah, were all hit by lightning while flying kites in front of their homes.

Family members rushed to the spot and took the 3 boys to Munnu medical college situated in the Sadar upazila. Asif breathed his last on the way to the hospital.

Abdullah is currently admitted in Munnu medical college while Anik has been referred to Dhaka Medical College and Hospital for further treatment.