Lightning kills 9 in Sunamganj, Tangail

At least nine people were killed and five others injured in separate lightning strikes in Sunamganj and Tangail districts this morning.

In Sunamganj, two men were killed and five other injured as lightning strikes at Matiapur village in Derai upazila while they were going to Derai Bazar by boat, reports our Sylhet correspondent.

The deceased are Shamim Miah, 45, and Tohur Miah, 35, of the village.

Three of the injured were taken to Derai health complex and two to Sylhet MAG Osmani Medical College Hospital, said Md Abdul Zalil, officer-in-charge (OC) of Derai Police Station.

In another strike, an 11-year old kid died at Tukderai village in the upazila, the OC added.

In Shalla upazila, three others died while fishing in a haor. The deceased are Iman Miah, 20, Khainul Haque, 20, and Hridoy Miah, 18, of Shreehail village, said Shalla Police Station OC Bozlar Rahman.

In Tangail, three members of a Garo family were killed by lightning strike in Madhupur upazila of Tangail early today.

Deceased Nikhil Hajong, 45, and his two sons Jorge Simsang, 11, and Loton Simsang, 9, were residents of Maguntinagar Pocharchana village in Beribaid union of the upazila, reports our Tangail correspondent.

Nikhil's wife Janata Simsang, 30, received injuries and was rushed to the local upazila health complex, said Shofiqul Islam, officer-in-charge of Madhupur Police Station.

The victims were struck by the lightning when they were sleeping beside an open window at their house in the forest area, the OC said quoting locals.

The trio died on the spot, he added.