lightning claimed three lives while dozens of the people sustained burn injuries at Tetulia village Baghmara block in Dhanbad district. Conditions of the injured are said to be stable, hospital authority said. The deceased have been identified as Ashim Ansari (32), Gopi Bhuiyan (16) and Akash Kumar (14), residents of Tetulia village. Those severely injured are Sanjay, Pramod, Shankar, Ritik, Suraj, Sorav and Raju who were rushed to the local hospital where their conditions are stable.
The incident took place when a football match organised at Tetulia play ground by late Chhotu Sharma Football Tournament committee was underway. An eyewitness said, “Suddenly rain started and lightning struck in the ground resulting into burn injuries to several while three from the crowd died on the spot.”
With the help of locals, all injured were taken to nearby hospitals where doctor declared Ashim, Gopi and Akash brought dead while others who sustained burn injuries were treated for their wounds at the hospitals. Some of them were referred to another hospital for better treatment.
In another incident, Sourav (17) got injured after lightning struck at Bhatmurna. He was on the way to home and was caught in a sudden rain and thundering. “To escape from rain, he took shelter under a tree when the lightning struck,” added a local. Soon after getting the information, local MlA Dhullu Mahato rushed to the spot and assured all help from disaster relief fund.