Eight killed in lightning strikes

At least eight people were killed in lightning strikes in seven districts from Friday morning to noon.

A father and his daughter were killed in Tangail, a farmer in Barguna, a youth in Chandpur, a schoolboy in Barishal, and a cow herder each in Patuakhali, Shariatpur and Pirojpur.

In Barguna’s Sadar upazila, farmer Mohiuddin, 40, was killed by a lightning strike while working in agricultural fields in Burirchar Union.

On the same day, in Dumki upazila of Patuakhali, farmer Mujibor Sardar, 50, lost his life after being struck by lightning while bringing cattle back from a field.

In Gosairhat upazila of Shariatpur, farmer Musa Hawlader, 45, was killed by a lightning strike while going to retrieve cattle from a field.

Similarly, in Mathbaria, Pirojpur, another farmer, Choarab Jomaddar, 50, died after being struck by lightning while bringing cattle back from a field.

Meanwhile, in Agailjhara upazila of Barishal, Tanvir Khan, 18, a school student, was killed by a lightning strike while working at a fish enclosure. He was a candidate for this year’s SSC examinations.

In Delduar upazila of Tangail, a father and his daughter were killed by a lightning strike. The incident occurred at around 2:00pm in Shahdaripara village under Fazilhati Union.

The deceased were identified as Khalidur Rahman, 29, a resident of Madarkol village in the upazila, and his daughter Khadija Akter, 10.

According to police and family sources, Khalidur had travelled to his in-laws’ home in Putiajani village of Fazilhati Union with his wife and daughter on Friday. At noon, they were on their way to a relative’s house in the neighbouring village of Meruaghona for a family invitation. As they reached an area called Shahdaripara and were getting off an auto-rickshaw, both father and daughter were suddenly struck by lightning.

Locals rescued them and rushed them to the Upazila Health Complex in critical condition, where the attending physician declared them dead.

At the time of the incident, Khalidur had an Android mobile phone in his pocket. The device was completely damaged by the lightning strike.

A young man, Nabi Hossain Miji, 27, was killed by a lightning strike in Faridganj upazila of Chandpur on Friday noon. The incident occurred in Saisanga village under Gupti Paschim Union.

Nabi Hossain Miji was the son of Monir Hossain Miji of Noa Bari in the same village. A day labourer by profession, he is survived by his three-month-old daughter, Farzana.

Locals said that a sudden thunderstorm accompanied by rain began shortly before Friday prayers. At the time, Nabi Hossain Miji was returning home after finishing work in the neighbouring village of Bhotal. As he approached his house and was passing by a paddy field, he was struck by lightning and collapsed.

Nearby residents rushed to his aid and took him to a local hospital, where the attending physician declared him dead.

Bulbul Ahmed, chairman of Gupti Paschim Union Parishad, said that he would provide the victim’s family with the necessary support from his position.

According to local sources, the incidents occurred when sudden rain and thunderstorms began while the victims were working in fields and other open areas. They were rescued and taken to hospitals, where doctors declared them dead.

Police and local authorities said that separate investigations into the incidents are underway, and the necessary legal procedures are being processed.