At least 13 people were killed by lightning strikes across nine districts on Wednesday amid ongoing storms and rainfall. The fatalities occurred between morning and afternoon.
Of them, four were reported in Patuakhali, two in Jamalpur, and one each in Gazipur, Mymensingh, Rangpur, Shariatpur, Barguna, Rajbari and Bagerhat.
In Patuakhali, four people, including a woman, were killed by lightning in Kalapara and Rangabali upazilas. All were engaged in agricultural work and were in open fields at the time.
According to police and local sources, Zahid Uddin (28) died around 1pm while working in a maize field in Tarikata village of Kalapara. Setara Begum (55) from East Chakamaiya village died around 2pm while taking cattle out to graze. At the same time, Khalek Howlader (55) of Shantipur village was struck while returning home with cattle from the field. Earlier, at around 9am, Sourav Majumder (22) from Charganga village in Rangabali was killed while bringing cattle from the field. The matter was confirmed by Officer-in-Charge (OC) Md Jasim Uddin of Rangabali Police Station and OC Nazrul Islam of Kalapara Police Station.
In Jamalpur, two people—Shamim Mia (37) and Sagar Islam (18)—were killed in separate incidents in Islampur upazila. The incidents occurred in Gaibandha and Sapdhari unions in the afternoon.
Shamim Mia, son of Mohammad Ali Member of Morakandi Uttar Bari village, was fishing in a river when lightning struck during sudden rainfall, killing him on the spot. Sagar Islam, son of Swadhin from Chiniapara in Dewanganj upazila, was working on a road construction project under the Local Government Engineering Department (LGED) in Indullamari area when lightning struck. While others managed to move away, he lagged behind and was fatally struck. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Islampur Police Station, Abdul Kayum Gazi, confirmed the matter.
In Gazipur, Zakir Hossain Khan (32) was killed by lightning in Baraiya village under Jangalia union of Kaliganj upazila in the morning, police said. The incident was confirmed by Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Kaliganj Police Station Zakir Hossain.
In Mymensingh, a young man, Saddam Hossain (32), died after being struck by lightning while fishing in the Rangsha River near his home in Tarakanda upazila around 7am. He was the son of the late Hamed Ali of Gabragati village. Officer-in-Charge (OC) of Tarakanda Police Station, Tanvir Ahmed, confirmed the matter.
In Rangpur, Saheara Begum (50) was killed by lightning in Taraganj upazila. She had gone out to bring a cow tied to a mango tree in her yard into the shed when the storm began around 11am. The matter was confirmed by Al-Ibadat Hossain, chairman of Sayer Union Parishad.
In Shariatpur, Rajib Sheikh (32), a fisherman and farmer, died after being struck by lightning in Naria upazila. The matter was confirmed by Dulal Mokaddam, a member of Ward No. 9 of Jopsa Union Parishad.
In Barguna, Nur Jamal (54), a farmer from Pujakhola village in Amtali upazila, was killed while catching fish in rainwater in a field. Upazila Nirbahi Officer Muhammad Zafar Arif Chowdhury confirmed the matter.
In Rajbari, Suman Mondal (34) died after being struck by lightning in Sadar upazila around 6:30am while carrying his three-and-a-half-year-old daughter. The child was thrown from his arms but survived.
Family members took Suman to Rajbari Sadar Hospital, where doctors declared him dead. Senior Staff Nurse of Rajbari Sadar Hospital, Rowshanara Akter, said Suman was brought to the hospital at around 7am. The child was also brought with him. Suman had died, while the child is in good health.
In Bagerhat, Robin Howlader (53), a day labourer, was killed by lightning in Sarkardanga village of Sadar upazila in the afternoon while bringing cattle from the field. Inspector (Investigation) of Bagerhat Model Police Station, Shahidul Islam, confirmed the matter.
Earlier, on April 27, six people were killed and three others injured in separate lightning strikes in Sunamganj and Netrokona. On April 26, at least 14 people died in lightning incidents across seven districts.
