Lightning kills two in Natore

A man and his grandson died after being struck by lightning while fishing in the Hiala beel of Chowgram union in Singra upazila of Natore.

The deceased were identified as Jamir Sheikh, 70, and his sixth grader grandson Pappu Hossain, 12. They are the residents of the Boro Chowgram area of the upazila.

Chowgram Union Parishad Chairman Md Zahidul Islam said the two were struck by lightning while fishing in a waterbody near their house on Wednesday evening. “The two died on the spot.”

Family members recovered their bodies from the beel around 10pm, the chairman added.

Lightning strikes have turned into one of the deadliest natural disasters in Bangladesh, claiming over 200 lives every year.

At least 216 people die every year on average from lightning strikes, more than by floods, cyclones and other calamities. More than 70% of the total lightning strikes occur between April and June, said experts.