Lightning strikes claim 11 lives in Malda, West Bengal

At least 11 people were killed by lightning on Thursday afternoon in various locations across Malda district, West Bengal, according to a government official. The district administration has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each of the families of the deceased, the official added.

SP Malda, Pradip Kumar Yadav, stated, "12 persons lost their lives in the incident, but the cause of death will be confirmed after the post-mortem."

Three people—Chandan Sahani (40), Raj Mriddha (16), and Manajit Mandal (21)—were killed in Malda’s Sahapur area. Additionally, Asit Saha (19) died in Gajol after being struck by lightning while working in a mango orchard, according to the official.

Eight-year-old Rana Sheikh from Manickchak's Mohammed Tola, and a couple, Nayan Roy (23) and Priyanka Singha (20) from Harishchandrapur, also lost their lives due to lightning, the official added. In Haddatola, lightning claimed the lives of Atul Mandal (65) and Sheikh Sabrul (11), while Sumitra Mandal (45) died in Mirdadpur. In Englishbazar's Milki, a man identified as Pankaj Mandal (23) was killed.

Meanwhile, the district administration has announced a compensation of Rs 2 lakh for each of the families of the deceased. "So far, 11 people have been killed by lightning strikes. Several injured individuals are being treated at various hospitals, with some in critical condition," a government official said.

Among the deceased was Rana Sheikh, a resident of Mohammed Tola in the Manikchak police station area. Three others, Chandan Sahani, Raj Mriddha, and Manajit Mandal, hailed from Sahapur under the jurisdiction of the Malda police station.

Additionally, a couple, Nayan Roy and Priyanka Singha, died in Harishchandrapur while working in the farm fields. Two other deceased were from Adina under Gajol police station and Balupur under Ratua police station. Pankaj Mandal was a resident of English Bazar.