Lightning strikes kill 5 in Gaibandha

At least five people were killed in lightning strikes in Phulchhari, Saghata and Sundarganj upazilas of Gaibandha district on Sunday afternoon.

Local sources said Fuyad, 14, son of Suza Chowdhury, Rafi, 15, son of Choton Chowdhury, and Mizan, 20, son of Nobir Hossain of Dhopadanga village under Sundarganj upazila in the district were standing in a cow shed of the house owned by Suza Chowdhury while sweeping norwester (Kalboishakhi) over the village. In the meantime, lightning struck them, leaving them seriously injured.

Later, they were sent to Gaibandha Sadar Hospital, where an on-duty doctor declared them dead. 

On the other hand, a youth, namely Manik Miah, 20, son of Shukkur Ali, was also killed at Bulbulir char under Fazlupur Union of Phulchhari upazila in the district on Sunday afternoon due to a thunderbolt. Local UP chairman Ansar Ali Mondal confirmed it. 

Apart from these, another victim, Nambar Ali, 65, a farmer from Saghata upazila, also died in a lightning strike while he was working in the field. Local union parishad chairman Nasirul Islam Swapon confirmed it.