Two brothers were killed by lightning strike at a village under Seraikela police station area in Seraikela-Kharsawan district on morning.

The victims were identified as Jitu lohar (18) and Ramu lohar (26), sons of Prafulla lohar, a resident of Narayanpur village.

A third brother, Sonu lohar (22) who was also in the same place escaped unhurt as at the time of the lightning he was lying on a cot.

OC, Seraiekala police station, Ran Vijay Singh, confirmed about the death. “As per our information the lightning struck at a tree and a thatched house near the tree. The inmates who were inside at the time were affected. We have recovered the bodies and have sent them to Seraikela referral hospital for post-mortem,” said Singh.

Prafulla lohar and wife Sabitri had gone away to a relative’s house for attending some function. As the news spread, Hari Shankar Bari, block development officer (BDO), Gamharia who visited the spot said the bodies were recovered and paid them Rs 20,000 to the parents of the lightning victims.

“It is really a big tragedy.  The incident took place as both the brother were standing at the thatched house.  As the lightning struck, both the brothers collapsed,” said Bari.

He said the administration had decided to provide Prafulla lohar and his family a house under Pradhan Mantri Griha Nirman Yojana and would also recommend for granting of Rs 4 lakh for each of the lightning victims under theSstate Disaster Management Programme.

“We are in a state of shock as everything happened all of sudden. The lightning struck while my brothers were waiting for the rain to stop. They were also supposed to visit to my uncle’s house in Seraiekal where my parents had gone.