5 killed as lightning strikes in 3 districts today

At least five people died and seven others were injured by lightning strikes in Bagerhat, Chuadanga and Cumilla districts today (11 May).

In Bagerhat, two labourers died and six others were injured by a lightning strike at Rayenda Bandaghata in Sarankhola upazila.

The deceased were identified as Milon, 35 of Morrelganj upazila, and Mostafa, 55, son of Ayub Ali of Pirojpur district.

"11 workers were carrying bricks by river to Sarankhola when it started to rain. Among them, eight workers tried to take shelter at an abandoned shop in Chal Rayenda Bandhaghat area where they were struck by lightning, leaving two dead on the spot and six others injured, said Sarankhola Upazila Health and Family Planning Officer Dr Priya Gopal Biswas told the Business Standard.

"The injured were taken to Upazila Health Complex," he added.

In Chuadanga, two farmers died and another was injured, after lightning struck them in separate places of Damurhuda and Darshana upazilas, reports UNB.

The deceased were Ahmed Mallik, 65, son of late Kheder Mallik of Patachora village of Damurhuda upazila, and Rubel, 28, son of Abdul Malek of Jhajri village of Darshana upazila and the injured is Tunu Khatun, 30, wife of Milon of Gobindahuda village of the same upazila.

Adbul Malik was working in the field around 9:00am. When a thunderstorm started, he was seriously injured by lightning on his way home from the field. Later, locals rescued him and took him to Damurhuda Upazila Health Complex, where the duty doctor declared him dead.

Meanwhile, Rubel was hit by a lightning strike and died on the spot, and Tunu Khatu was injured in her courtyard while working and lost consciousness.

Alamgir Kobir, officer-in-charge (OC) of Damurhuda Model Police Station and Mohammad Shariful Islam, officer-in-charge (investigation) of Darshana Police Station confirmed the matters.

In Cumilla, a 13-year-old boy died in a lightning strike while playing football in a field near his house in Muradnagar upazila around 9:30am.

The deceased was identified as Siam, son of Md Humayun Mia of Muradnagar upazila.

Muradnagar Police Station Officer-in-Charge (OC) Provash Chandra Dhar said, "We are investigating the matter.

At least 74 people, including 35 farmers, were killed by lightning strikes in 38 days till 8 May across the country, according to the social voluntary organisation Save the Society and Thunderstorm Awareness Forum (SSTF).

In the current month, 11 people died and nine people were injured by the lightning strike in one day alone, said the report of SSTF research cell published on Thursday.