Lightning strike killed nine agricultural workers and injured four others in Sirajganj's Ullapara upazila Thursday, according to police. Eight of the deceased were identified as Md Mobarak, 40, Monnaf Hossain, 19, Shamsher Ali, 62, Md Afsar, 63, Md Shahin, 21, Abdul Kuddus, 60, Shah Alam, 42 and Ritu Khatun, 15, Mohammad Mahfuz, assistant superintendent of police (ASP) of Ullapara Circle, said. The identities of the other deceased could not immediately be confirmed, he added. The workers were planting paddy seedlings when it started to rain heavily, Nazrul Islam, officer-in-charge (OC) of Ullapara Police Station, said. Read: Lightning strikes kill three in Kushtia, Natore "Then all of them sheltered in a house near the field. Suddenly a streak of lightning struck the men, killing five of them on the spot and leaving others critically injured," Nazrul said.   "The locals rushed the injured to different hospitals and clinics where they died while undergoing treatment."

Food Minister Sadhan Chandra Majumder on Wednesday urged all concerned to work for ensuring food safety for the consumers, not only during Ramadan but also throughout the year.    He instructed the officials concerned to take effective steps to raise mass awareness about safe food. “Please work to reach safe food to the consumers.” The minister was addressing a view-exchange meeting titled ‘Measures to Ensure Food Safety during Ramadan’ virtually at the Bangladesh Secretariat as the chief guest.  “Activities of the food offices at the grassroots level need to be visible. If consumers are not aware, then it will not be possible to become successful. That’s why awareness has to be raised among people. Food offices will have to work closely with the businessmen, people’s representatives, and administration to ensure adulteration-free food alongside raising awareness among people.” READ: Self-reliance in seed production essential for food security: FBCCI Bangladesh Food Safety Authority (BFSA) Chairman Abdul Kaiyum Sarker presided over the programme while food secretary Mosammat Nazmanara Khanum spoke as the special guest. Nazmanara Khanum said food officials have been working in the country with various limitations.  BFSA Chairman Abdul Kaiyum Sarker said a total of 2,560 food traders have been given training on safe sehri preparation and food marketing across the country.