Lightning strikes kill six in Chapainawabganj

Six people, including three women, were killed in lightning strikes across the three upazilas of Chapainawabganj Sadar, Shibganj and Nachole. 

Among them, three were killed in Shibganj Upazila.

The information was confirmed by the officers-in-charge (OCs) of the respective police stations, who said the victims were struck by lightning during rainfall this afternoon (4 June).

The deceased were Abdullah,17, son of Md. Rabbil from the Atahar area of Jhilim Union in Sadar Upazila; Mahamuda Akhtar, 19, wife of Abdur Rauf from Chaknarendra village in Chakkirti Union of Shibganj; Sadia Khatun, 16, daughter of Kasher Ali from Ranibari Bazar Para; Mesbaul, 14, son of Fitu Ali from South Shikarpur Para in Mobarakpur Union; Sumiyara Begum, 41, from Lahabari village in Nachole Upazila; and Hasan Ali Lalu, 21, son of Md. Shafiul from Gosaipur village.

Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ekramul Hossain said that Abdullah had gone to bring cattle from a field during the rain in Atahar of sadar upazila when he was struck by lightning and seriously injured. 
Locals rushed him to the 250-bed Chapainawabganj District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. 

Shibganj Police Station OC Matiur Rahman said all three victims in Shibganj were killed in mango orchards near their homes while collecting fallen mangoes during the rain. 

In Nachole Upazila, Sumiyara Begum was struck by lightning while returning home during rainfall after cutting grass in a field in Lahapara. 

In a separate incident around 5pm. Hasan Ali Lalu died after being struck by lightning in the Gosaipur area. Nachole Police Station OC Sukomal Chandra Debnath confirmed the death.

Shibganj upazila official Mizanur Rahman said families of the three victims in Shibganj were immediately provided financial assistance of Tk25,000 each. 

Authorities also stated that the families of the deceased in Sadar and Nachole upazilas would receive the same amount of financial aid.