Three people were killed and nine others, including women and children, were injured being struck by lightning strikes in Thakurgaon Sadar and Baliadangi upazilas on Tuesday.
The deceased were identified as Ariful Islam, 15, son of Dulal Islam, and Monir Islam (14), son of Nazrul Islam, both from Lauuthi village under Sukhanpukur union of Thakurgaon Sadar upazila. Another victim, Ataur Rahman, 23, was from Kalibari village in Amjankhor union under Baliadangi upazila.
Citing locals, Thakurgaon Sadar Police Station officer-in-charge ABM Firoz Wahid said that a streak of lightning struck in the area when Ariful and Monir, along with three others, were bathing in the Bhulli River amid heavy rainfall, killing both boys instantly.
Three others, including Faruk, Farid, and Fazila Begum, were injured and are currently receiving treatment at Thakurgaon General Hospital.
Meanwhile, Baliadangi Police Station OC Md Firoz Kabir said that Ataur Rahman and several others were sitting outside their home when the lightning struck. Ataur, along with four others — Roman, Rana, Sakibul, and Faisal — sustained injuries. Later, Ataur succumbed to his injuries while being transported to Baliadangi Upazila Health Complex.
In another incident, a woman named Manjuara was injured while tending to cattle in Udaypur when she was struck by lightning. She and the other injured individuals are being treated at local health complexes.
Police have registered unnatural death cases related to the incidents, added the OC.