Dhaka: Three people, including a woman, were killed and four injured in lightning strikes in Chittagong and Patuakhali districts on Friday night, as the weather remained inclement.

In Chittagong, two people were killed and another two injured as lightning struck them at village Mirzakhil in Rangunia upazila.

The deceased were Jane Alam, 25, and Abul Hashem, 20.

Acting chairman of Betagi UP Noor Kutubul Alam said thunderbolt struck four people while returning home from their workplace during heavy downpour and strong wind at about 7:30pm. Two of them, identified as Jane Alam and Abul Hashem, died instantly.

Injured Mohammad Haroon and Mohammad Saiful were admitted to Chittagong Medical College Hospital with severe burns.

In Patuakhali, lightning strikes killed a woman and injured two others at Bahalgachhia village in Sadar upazila. The deceased was identified as Hasina Begum, 35, wife of rickshaw-puller Mannan Khan.

A thunderbolt struck on the house of Mannan at about 10pm while wife and two neighbors were gossiping in the veranda, killing Hasina on the spot and injuring the two.
 
Injured Rehna and Rahima were sent to Patukhali General Hospital in “critical condition”.

BDST: 12:00 pm, 5 June 2010
BK/MRH/LY/MUA