NEW DELHI: (Bernama-Xinhua) At least four children were killed and three others injured due to lightning strikes in the northern Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, Xinhua reported, citing the police on Friday (June 20).
Heavy rains and thunderstorms accompanied by lightning strikes lashed the state Thursday evening, affecting several districts.
"Two incidents of lightning strikes took place last evening. In the first incident, four children were out grazing goats in the Sarai Akil area, Kaushambi district, when lightning struck them.
"Though they were rushed to the hospital, two of them were declared dead. The other two are undergoing treatment," a police official said.
"In the second incident in Tara Ka Pura village, Chitrakoot district, a group of children had taken out buffaloes for grazing.
"Lightning struck them too, killing one at the spot and another during treatment at the district hospital. The third one is undergoing treatment at the hospital," the official said.
Last week, at least 25 people were killed in lightning strikes in 14 districts of the state.
Every year, with the onset of monsoon season, hundreds die in lightning incidents in India. - Bernama-Xinhua
