Lightning Strikes Kill 12 Across Six Districts

At least 12 people were killed and 16 others injured in separate lightning strike incidents across six districts on Saturday, as storms swept through different parts of the country.

In Sunamganj, five people lost their lives and five others were injured in incidents reported from four upazilas. The victims were Abul Kalam alias Kala Mia, 28, of Tahirpur; Nur Jamal, 30, of Jamalganj; Md Habibur Rahman, 22, and Rahmat Ullah of Dharmapasha; and Liton Mia, 38, of Derai.

Jamal, Habibur and Liton were struck by lightning while harvesting paddy in haor areas. The injured were taken to nearby hospitals. Local health officials and police confirmed the casualties.

In Rangpur’s Mithapukur upazila, two people were killed and 11 others, including three children, were injured in Shakhipur village. The deceased were Milon Mia, 35, a fisherman, and Taleb Uddin, 45, a farmer. Police said the injured were admitted to Mithapukur Upazila Health Complex and Rangpur Medical College Hospital.

In Habiganj, a 60-year-old farmer, Sunam Uddin, was killed by lightning while harvesting paddy in Momina haor under Nabiganj upazila, police said.

Mymensingh reported two deaths in separate incidents in Gouripur and Gafargaon upazilas. The victims were Rahmat Ali Ujjal, 30, and Mamtaz Ali Khan, 58. Police in both areas confirmed the incidents.

In Netrakona’s Atpara upazila, a farmer named Altu Mia, 65, died after being struck by lightning while cutting grass in a haor around 1pm, according to police.

Another farmer, Holud Mia, 37, was killed in Kishoreganj’s Karimganj upazila while harvesting paddy in a haor. The death was confirmed by the local administration.

Lightning strikes are common during this season, particularly in low-lying haor regions, where people often remain exposed while working in open fields.