4 farmers, 2 schoolgirls killed in lighting strikes across 3 districts

Six people, including four farmers and two schoolgirls, were killed today (6 May) in separate lightning strikes across the districts of Sunamganj, Jhenaidah, and Kishoreganj.

In Sunamganj, a farmer identified as Zakir Hossen, 35, of Paschim Lakshmipur village under Jamalganj upazila was killed while harvesting paddy in a nearby haor around 11am, police said.

He collapsed on the spot after being struck by lightning and was later declared dead at Jamalganj Upazila Health Center.

In Jhenaidah, two farmers died in separate incidents while working in the fields under sadar upazila.

The deceased were Mirajul Islam, 25, son of Shahajzel Hossain of Paschim Bishyakhali village under Ganna union and Waliyar Rahman, 50, son of Khorshed Alam, a resident of Bhabanipur village under Maharajpur union of the upazila, Sadar Police Station Officer-in-Charge Abdullah Al Mamun told BSS.

According to locals, Mirajul was struck while harvesting paddy and succumbed to his injuries en route to Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital.

In another incident, Waliyar was also hit by a lightning strike while cutting paddy and died on the way to the hospital.

Both deaths were confirmed by Dr Md Mostafizur Rahman, superintendent of Jhenaidah Sadar Hospital.

In Kishoreganj, lightning claimed three more lives.

Two schoolgirls, Irina, 15 and Priya, 15 — ninth-grade students of Charteki Girls School and College — were struck while returning home from school in Charteki village under Pakundia upazila amid a stormy weather at noon.

Both were declared dead at Pakundia Upazila Health Complex, said OC Md Sakhawat Hossain of Pakundia Police Station.

Additionally, Kadu Mia, 35, a farmer from Chamkpur Dakshin Hati under Mithamoin upazila, died after being hit by lightning while working in a paddy field.

He was pronounced dead at Mithamoin Upazila Health Complex, according to OC Md Shafiul Alam of Mithamoin Police Station.