Three persons were killed and four others injured in lightning at Chandiput village under Mohana block in Gajapati district on Wednesday afternoon.
The deceased were identified as Manjula Nayak (40) of Chandiput village, Kanhu Nayak (45) of Akili village and Uday Nayak (50) of Gupurigudi village under Mohana block.
According to reports, the lightning struck seven labourers when they were taking rest in a hut after working in a maize field. Following the incident, the injured persons called village people over phone about the serious condition of their fellow workers. The villagers called ambulance several times but failed to get any response in time.
Three persons died on the spot, while four others were rushed to a Government-run Ayurvedic hospital near Mohana. Villagers of Chandiput alleged that ambulances failed to reach in time. They urged the district administration to help the poor deceased’s family.