Seventeen people, including five women, were killed and 11 others injured in a lightning strike at Telikharighat in Shibganj upazila of Chapainawabganj district on Wednesday.

Twelve of the deceased were identified  as Toki, 30, Lechan, 40, Saidur, 35, Sajib, 18, Jamila, 60, Sahabul, 30, Manam, 35,Bailey, 35, Shariful,40, Bablu, 25, Mausumi, 25, Tipu, and  Sultan, 45.

All of them are from Narayanpur in Chapainawabganj  Sadar upazila.

Shibganj Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Shakib Al Rabbi said the lightning struck a group of people when they had taken shelter under a shed during rains around 12 pm, killing 17 of them.

Read: Two killed in Thakurgaon lighting strike

They met the tragic end of their lives while heading towards Paka union to attend a wedding ceremony.

Among the injured, 10 are currently undergoing treatment at Chapainawabganj Sadar Hospital while one has been referred to Rajshahi Medical College and Hospital.

Confirming the information, Resident Medical Officer of the sadar hospital Dr Nahar said, “The one who has been transferred to RMCH is in critical condition.”

Read: Thunderstorm Lightning Struck Safety Tips: Stay Prepared

Lightning strikes in Bangladesh

Lightning strike has turned into one of the deadliest natural disasters in Bangladesh claiming over 200 lives every year due to the loss of natural defense and lack of precautionary measures.

According to the Ministry of Disaster Management and Relief, 2,164 people died in lightning strikes in the country from 2011 to 2020. At least 216 people die every year on average in lightning strikes, more than by floods, cyclones and other natural calamities.   

Experts said about 70 percent of the total lightning strikes usually occur between April and June, and advise everyone to move with caution during this time.