KAMPALA, Aug 29 (NNN-AGENCIES) – Ten children were struck dead by lightning in the northwestern Ugandan district of Arua on Thursday, a police spokesperson said.
Josephine Angucia, West Nile regional police spokesperson, said that the children aged between 13 to 15 years old “were playing football under rain when they were struck by lightning. Nine died on the spot.”
The tenth child died while being taken to a hospital.
Three survivors are receiving treatment at the regional hospital.
The incident took place at Odramacaku football pitch in the West Division of Arua City in the evening, she added.
The bodies were taken to Arua regional referral hospital for autopsy before being handed over to the relatives for burial, according to the police spokesperson.
Angucia said lightning is common during the rainy season, urging children to avoid playing in the rain.
“The football pitches are usually within or near schools. It’s advisable for schools to fix lightning arrestors so that we offer protection to our children,” she said.
In 2011, Uganda witnessed a similar lightning incident where 18 children were struck and killed in the western part of the country.
That year, 28 people also died from lightning strikes in a single week.
In February this year, four rare mountain gorillas were killed after being hit by lightning.
Uganda National Meteorological Authority recently warned of enhanced rainfall coupled with floods, thunderstorms and lightning over several parts of the country that could lead to a loss of lives and property. — NNN-AGENCIES
