11 killed by lightning strikes in three districts

At least 11 people were killed in lightning strikes in Netrakona, Faridpur and Manikganj yesterday.

In Netrakona, seven persons were killed and eight others injured as thunderbolts struck them in separate incidents.

The deceased were identified as Bayezid Khan (42), Fazlu Mia (55), Maulana Md Atabur Rahman (21), Md Sharif Mia (8), Oshek Mia (30), Bipul Mia (32), and Monir Hossain (30).

Of them, Bayezid and Fazlu were farmers while Oshek, Bipul and Monir were fishermen, said police.

Quoting locals, Madan Police Station Officer-in-Charge Md Ferdous Alam said Atabur and Sharif were killed on the spot and five others injured as they were struck by thunderbolts while playing in a field of Pachim Fatehpur in Madan upazila around 2:30pm.

The injured were admitted to Kendua Upazila Health Complex.

Kendua Police Station OC Kazi Shah Newaz said farmers Bayezid and Fazlu died instantly as thunderbolts struck them while they were working on their field in Kendua around 3pm.

Three fishermen -- Oshek, Bipul and Monir -- died on the spot and three other fishermen sustained injuries while they were catching fish in a waterbody in Gazipur area of Khaliajury around 2:30pm, Khaliajury Police Station OC Md Mujibur Rahman quoted locals as saying.

The injured were given first aid, said the OC.

On information, police recovered the bodies and handed them over to the families.

In Faridpur, two people were killed in separate lightning strikes in Sadar upazila.

The victims were identified as Anwara Begum (45) from Moilla Dangi area and Kabir Mollah (48) from Gangabardi village, said Kotwali Police Station OC MA Jalil.

In Manikganj, two people were killed by lightning strikes in Sadar upazila.

Day labourer Ahmat Ali (50) died on the spot as thunderbolt struck him while he was harvesting paddy in Pouli area around 5:30pm, said Md Kabir Hossain, a ward councillor of Manikganj municipality.

Meanwhile, Asif (16) was killed after being stricken by thunderbolt while he was flying kite in Gilond village around 5:30pm, said sources.  [Our correspondents from Mymensingh, Faridpur and Manikganj contributed to this report]