Lightning strike kills 14 across Jharkhand in hours

At least 14 people died and four others were injured in lightning strikes in Jharkhand's Giridih, Dumka and Latehar on Tuesday, police said.

Out of the 14 fatalities, nine were reported from Giridih, three from Dumka and the remaining two in Latehar.

Khorimahua sub-divisional police officer (SDPO), Amarendra Kumar, told PTI: "At least seven people were killed and three others were injured due to lightning strikes across three police stations under my sub-division in Giridih district."

Of them, five died and three were injured only in the Deori police station area when they were sitting at a place after playing, he said, adding that four of the deceased were aged between 18 and 20 years.

He said one person each was killed under Gawan and Naudiha police station limits.

In Dumka, three persons died and four others, including a child, were injured in separate incidents of lightning strikes in Ramgarh and Hansdiha police stations of Dumka district, a police officer said.

In Latehar, two persons were killed, and a woman was critically injured in separate incidents of lightning strikes under various police stations, police said.

Latehar Superintendent of Police Kumar Gaurav said that two persons died in Chandwa and Sadar Police Station areas.