Lightning strikes kill 4 in Patuakhali

Four people were killed and one other injured in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Patuakhali yesterday.

The incidents took place this afternoon after a nor'wester lashed the district.

In Galachipa upazila, two persons -- a 12-year-old girl and a male madrasa student -- died in separate incidents of lightning strikes, reports our local correspondent quoting police.

The girl, identified as Tanjila, daughter of Ansar Howlader in the area, died after being struck by lightning when she was bringing their cattle from a nearby pasture in Char Biswas village around 2:30pm, said Mostafizur Rahman, officer-in-charge of Galachipa Police Station.

The madrasa student, identified as Zobair Islam of the upazila's Bakulbaria village, died when he was hit by lightning strike when he was working at a watermelon plantation near their house, the OC also said.

In Sadar upazila, a rickshawpuller died in Khalishakhali area around 2:15pm in a lightning strike when he was bathing in a pond in the area. The deceased was identified as Jahangir Howlader, 38, said Akhter Morshed, officer-in-charge of Patuakhali Sadar Police Station.

In Mirzaganj upazila, farmer Habib Howlader, 52, was killed when strike struck him while his son Tarek Howlader was injured when they were bringing home their cattle from pasture, said Mirzaganj Upazila Parishad Chairman Abu Bakar Siddiq.

The injured has been admitted to Mirzaganj upazila health complex for treatment, the UP chairman added.