Six people, including three women, were killed in separate lightning strikes across three upazilas of Chapainawabganj during thunderstorms on Thursday afternoon.
The fatalities occurred in Shibganj, Chapainawabganj Sadar and Nachol upazilas amid sudden rainfall accompanied by lightning.
The victims were identified as Abdullah, son of Rabbil from Athahar village in Jhilim Union of Sadar upazila; Mahmuda Akter, wife of Abdur Rob from Chaknoren village in Shibganj upazila; Sadia Khatun, daughter of Abul Kashem of Ranibari Bazar area; Mesbaul, son of Fitu Ali from Shikarpur Southpara in Mobarakpur Union; Sumiara Begum of Lahabari village in Nachol upazila; and Hasan Ali Lalu (21), son of Shafiul from Goshaipur village in Nezamput union..
Shibganj Police Station Officer-in-Charge Matiur Rahman said three of the victims were struck while collecting mangoes in a nearby orchard during sudden rain and died on the spot.
Upazila Project Implementation Officer Mizanur Rahman said each of the affected families in Shibganj received Tk25,000 in immediate government assistance.
Chapainawabganj Sadar Model Police Station Officer-in-Charge Ekramul Hossain said Abdullah was struck by lightning while going to bring cattle from a field in Athahar area. He was taken to Chapainawabganj District Hospital, where doctors declared him dead.
In a separate incident, Sumiara Begum was struck by lightning while returning home after cutting grass in a field in Nachol upazila, said Nachol Police Station Officer-in-Charge Sukomal Chandra Debnath.
Local administration officials said families of victims in Sadar and Nachol upazilas also received Tk25,000 each as emergency assistance.
