12 killed by lightning strikes across seven districts

At least 12 people were killed in lightning strikes across seven districts of Bangladesh on Wednesday (29 April), with several others injured, according to local reports.

The fatalities were reported from Patuakhali (four), Jamalpur (two), Barguna (two), Mymensingh (one), Bagerhat (one), Rangpur (one) and Rajbari (one), as thunderstorms swept through different parts of the country.

Patuakhali

Four people were killed in separate lightning incidents during Nor’wester storms in different areas of Patuakhali throughout the day. More than 50 cattle were also reported dead in the district over the past two days.

Police and local sources said Sourav Majumdar, 22, died while tying cattle in a field at Char Ganga village in Rangabali upazila around 9:00am. At about 1:00pm, Zahir Uddin, 28, was struck dead while working in a maize field in Tarikata village of Kalapara upazila.

Later, at around 2:00pm, Setara Begum, 55, died while feeding grass to cattle in Purba Chakamaiya village, while Khalek Hawlader, 55, was killed by lightning while bringing cattle home from a field in Shantipur village.

Officials from Kalapara and Rangabali police stations, along with the Kalapara Upazila Nirbahi Officer, confirmed the incidents.

Jamalpur

Two people were killed in separate lightning strikes in Islampur upazila.

The deceased were Shamim Mia, 35, who was fishing in a river, and Sagar Islam, 18, a labourer working on a road project. The incidents occurred in Morakandi village under Gaibandha union and Indullamari village under Sapdhari union in the morning.

Police confirmed the deaths and said legal procedures were underway.

Barguna

In Barguna, a fisherman, Al-Amin, and a farmer, Nur Jamal, were killed in separate lightning incidents in Patharghata and Amtali upazilas around midday.

Local authorities confirmed the deaths, adding that the family of the deceased in Amtali had received Tk25,000 in assistance under a government relief programme.

Mymensingh

A young man, Saddam Hossain, 32, was killed by lightning while fishing in the Rangsa River in Tarakanda upazila at around 7:00am.

Locals recovered the body and took it home, police said.

Bagerhat

In Bagerhat, day labourer Robin Hawlader, 53, died after being struck by lightning while bringing cattle from a field in Sarkardanga village of the Sadar upazila in the afternoon.

Police said his funeral would be held at the family cremation ground.

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Rangpur

A housewife was killed by lightning in Taraganj upazila of Rangpur while collecting firewood near her home in Kazipara village around midday.

Police visited the scene after receiving the information.

Rajbari

In Rajbari, Suman Mondal, 35, died in a lightning strike in Mojjatkol village of Mizanpur union under Sadar upazila at around 6:45am.

According to a relative, he was heading to a nearby shop carrying his three-and-a-half-year-old daughter when lightning struck. The child fell from his arms but survived with minor injuries. Suman was rushed to Rajbari Sadar Hospital, where he was declared dead.

Police confirmed the incident.