Lightning kills 3 in dists

RANGPUR, Aug 14 (BSS): Two boat passengers were killed and five others injured by lightning on the river Jamuneswari at Mostafapur River Ghat near Shekherhat under Badarganj upazila here amid inclement weather today, police sources said.

The deceased were Rafikul Islam, 45, son of Nazir Hossain of Chilapak Uttarpara village near Shekherhat and Geestish Chandra Roy, 40, son of Kandu Roy of Gopalpur Mymensinghapara village under Badarganj upazila. The incident occurred when the thunderbolt hit a passengers' boat that was crossing at Mostafapur River Ghat amid stormy weather and torrential monsoon injuring seven people aboard.

Locals rushed to the spot, rescued the injured and sent them immediately to Badarganj Upazila Health Complex (BUHC) where the attending doctor declared two of them dead.

"Five injured people have been undergoing treatment at BUHC and bodies of the deceased persons were handed over to their relatives after completing necessary legal formalities," Officer-in-Charge of Badarganj Thana Zahidur Rahman Chowdhury told BSS.

Our Correspondent from Pabna says: A farmer was killed and 2 others were injured in lightning strike at Mahmudpur village under Pabna sadar Upazila today afternoon.

The dead was identified as Murad Hossain, 22, son of Togor Pramanik of the village Mahmudpur.

Police and locals said, the thunderbolt struck one three farmers while they were working in the jute field at around 3.00 pm on Thursday. Murad Hossain died on the spot.