15 Killed by Lightning Strikes in Eight Districts

At least 15 people were killed and several others injured as lightning strikes lashed eight districts across the country from Sunday morning to afternoon (April 26).

The fatalities were reported in Gaibandha, Sirajganj, Jamalpur, Thakurgaon, Bogra, Natore, Panchagarh, and Sherpur. The storms also resulted in the deaths of livestock, including a horse and a cow.

Gaibandha Suffers Highest Toll
Gaibandha district recorded five deaths across Sundarganj, Saghata, and Fulchhari upazilas. In Sundarganj, three youths—Fuad (14), Rafi (12), and Mizanur (20)—were killed instantly in South Dhopadanga village while together in one spot. Rafi was a local primary school student.

In Fulchhari, a 22-year-old youth named Manik Hossein died while operating a horse-drawn cart; his horse was also killed in the strike. Additionally, an elderly man named Nambar Ali (65) passed away in Saghata after being struck while checking on his goats near his home.

Casualties Across Other Districts
Reports of fatalities surfaced from several other regions:

Sirajganj: Two farmers, Abdul Hamid (50) and Hasan Sheikh (25), were killed while working in paddy fields in Tarash and Raiganj upazilas, respectively.

Jamalpur: Hasmat Ali (55) died while grazing cattle in Jamalpur Sadar, while a young woman, Morjina Akhter (22), was killed by a strike while cooking in her courtyard in Melandah.

Thakurgaon: Two victims, Laboni Akhter (35) and Elias Ali (37), lost their lives in separate incidents in Pirganj upazila.

Bogra, Natore, Sherpur, and Panchagarh: One death was reported in each district. Victims included a tea garden worker in Panchagarh and a teacher affiliated with the Islamic Foundation in Sherpur who was harvesting paddy at the time of the incident.

Injuries at Dhaka University
The severe weather also reached the capital. Two female students from East West University, Sufia Akhter (22) and Farah Akhter (22), were injured by a lightning strike near the Oparajeyo Bangla sculpture at Dhaka University. They were rushed to Dhaka Medical College Hospital in an unconscious state for emergency treatment.

Local authorities and Union Parishad chairmen have confirmed the identities of the deceased, noting that most victims were engaged in agricultural work or outdoor activities when the sudden storms began.