11 killed in lightning strikes across five districts

At least 11 people were killed in separate lightning strike incidents across five districts of Bangladesh today (18 April), as storms swept through parts of the country.

The fatalities were reported from Sunamganj, Netrokona, Mymensingh, Rangpur and Habiganj, with most victims being farmers working in fields during the sudden rain and thunderstorms.

In Sunamganj alone, five farmers died after being struck by lightning in four upazilas while harvesting paddy in haor areas.

The incidents occurred in Tahirpur, Jamalganj, Dirai and Dharmapasha upazilas, particularly in Pagnar, Matian and Togar haors.

The deceased were identified as Abul Kalam, 25, of Tahirpur; Nazmul Hossain, 26, of Jamalganj; Habibur Rahman, 24, and Rahmat Ullah, 13, of Dharmapasha; and Liton Mia, 38, of Dirai.

According to police and local sources, a sudden spell of heavy rain and thunderstorms swept across four upazilas this afternoon. During this time, Abul Kalam was struck by lightning while harvesting paddy at Matian Haor in Tahirpur. Locals rescued him and took him to the upazila health complex, where on-duty doctors declared him dead.

Tahirpur Police Station Officer-in-Charge Aminul Islam said the body will be handed over to the family after completing legal procedures.

Meanwhile, another farmer, Nur Jamal, 26, was killed by lightning while harvesting paddy at Pagnar haor in Jamalganj.

Confirming the matter, Jamalganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Bande Ali said the farmer was killed while harvesting paddy in Pagnar haor, and another person was injured in the incident.

At the same time, Habibur Rahman and Rahmat Ullah were killed in two separate incidents in Dharmapasha upazila.

Locals rescued them in injured condition and took them to the Dharmapasha Health Complex, where on-duty doctors declared them dead.

Dharmapasha Police Station Officer-in-Charge Shahid Ullah said two people died after being struck by lightning while harvesting paddy in the haor. Their bodies were handed over to the families after legal procedures.

In addition, Liton Mia was critically injured by lightning while harvesting paddy at Kaliagota (Atrara) haor in Dirai upazila. He was taken to Dirai Upazila Health Complex by locals, where doctors declared him dead.

The matter was confirmed by the health complex's Resident Medical Officer Dr Prashanta Das Talukdar.

In Netrokona's Atpara upazila, a 65-year-old farmer, Altu Mia, died after being struck by lightning while cutting grass for cattle in a haor, reports BSS

The incident occurred around 1pm in a haor in front of Hatia village under Sukhari union of the upazila. Atpara Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Jubayedul Alam confirmed the incident.

In Mymensingh's Gauripur, another farmer, Rahmat Ali, also known as Ujjal, was killed in a similar incident while harvesting paddy, according to locals, reports BSS.

In Rangpur's Mithapukur upazila, two people died and at least 12 others were injured when lightning struck a fish farm in Sakhipur village under Bara Hazratpur union.

The deceased were identified as Milon Mia, 35, and Abu Taleb, 65.

Witnesses said a group of people were fishing with nets when the lightning strike hit, injuring both those in the water and bystanders nearby. At least three of the injured were reported to be in critical condition and were sent to Rangpur Medical College Hospital.

One more death was reported from Habiganj in a separate lightning strike incident.

Deceased identified as Sunam Uddin, 60, was killed by lightning while harvesting paddy in a haor in Nabiganj upazila of Habiganj.

The incident occurred around 12pm today at Momina haor along the Bibiyana river in Baro Bhakair (East) union of the upazila.

Confirming the matter, Nabiganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Monayem Mia said a farmer was killed by lightning. Police have visited the scene.