Lighting kills three in Malibagh

Two children and an elderly man died in a lightning strike at Malibagh Chowdhurypara slum in Dhaka on Saturday afternoon.

Police identified the victims as Pakhi, 9, her elder sister Soma, 12, and their neighbour Abdul Huq.

They came in touch with the metal door of their corrugated-sheet-roofed house, which was electrified after being struck by lightning, Hatirjheel police station’s Office-in-Charge Abdur Rashid confirmed to media.

One of the victims died on the spot and the other two succumbed to their injuries while being taken to the hospital.

Deaths caused by thunder bolts increased sharply in Bangladesh in recent years. The government declared lightning strike a disaster in 2016.

According to the Foundation for Disaster Forum, 126 people, including 85 men, 15 women and 26 children died from lightning strike between January and May 31.

Last year, 380 people were killed by lightning strikes. The victims included 271 men, 29 women and 80 children.