At least five people, including three women, died in separate lightning strikes during rainfall across three upazilas of Chapainawabganj, while authorities announced financial assistance for the victims’ families.
At least five people, including three women, were killed in separate lightning strike incidents across three upazilas of Chapainawabganj, a district in the Rajshahi Division of northwestern Bangladesh, during rainfall on Thursday afternoon, police said.
Three of the victims died in Shibganj upazila, while one person each was killed in Chapainawabganj Sadar and Nachole upazilas, according to local authorities.
The deceased were identified as Abdullah, 14, son of Rabbil of Atahar area in Sadar upazila; Mahmuda Begum, 19, wife of Abdur Rouf of Chak Narendra village under Chakkirti union in Shibganj; Sahida Khatun, 16, daughter of Kashem Ali of Ranibagi Bazarpara in the same union; Md. Mesbaul, 14, son of Fitu Ali of Southpara in Shikarpur village under Mobarakpur union; and Sumi Ara, 40, wife of Abdur Rakib of Lahapara village in Fatepur union of Nachole upazila.
Shibganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Matiur Rahman said the three victims in Shibganj were struck by lightning in mango orchards near their homes.
“They had gone to collect fallen mangoes during the rain when the lightning struck,” he said.
Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ekramul Hossain said Abdullah was bringing cattle back from a field during the rain when he was hit by lightning.
He was critically injured and rushed to Chapainawabganj District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead, the officer added.
In Nachole, Officer-in-Charge Sukomal Chandra Debnath said Sumi Ara was struck by lightning while returning home after cutting grass in a field in Fatepur union. Her husband, Abdur Rakib, was injured in the same incident.
Authorities have provided immediate financial assistance of 25,000 taka to each of the three bereaved families in Shibganj, said Upazila Project Implementation Officer Mizanur Rahman.
Officials also said the families of the victims in Sadar and Nachole upazilas would each receive 25,000 taka in financial support.
