Lightning kills 3 children, injures four other people

A lightning bolt has struck and killed three children as heavy rains hit Kabale district.
Four other people sustained injuries after being struck on Sunday (28th Spetember 2014) night. The dead are all from Nyamasiizi Parish in Hamurwa Sub County.
The heavy downpour which started on Sunday evening extended to morning hours of Monday triggering off mudslides in the area that blocked the roads.
The dead have been identified as Zozima Mucunguzi, son of Francis Karabaye; Martin Akankwasa, a son of Deus Bandonda and Nalsi Byarugaba  a son to Silva Tirwomwe all residents of Nyamasiizi. All the dead were children below the age of 16.
Ivan Byamukama, an area resident says that the locals started running for shelter when the lightning struck several times. The deceased had taken shelter at a house belonging to Francis Karabaye when they were struck.
Four other people who were injured in separate strikes are receiving treatment at Rubanda Health Centre IV in Hamurwa Town council –Rubanda East County.
Kigezi regional Police spokesperson Elly Maate confirms the incident and says that the only important issue is strengthening the safety measures.
Rubanda county East Member of Parliament Henry Musasizi told URN on phone that the the leadership will continue to sensitize the locals on the safety precautions to escape lightning.
Lightning strikes in the Kigezi region are quite common with the most affected areas being the districts of Kisoro and Kabale.
The strikes usually become common between the months of September and December when heavy rains hit the area.
In October 2013, five people were killed after being struck by lightning in separate incidents.
The incidents took place in Rwamucucu and Kashambya sub counties.
On the 16th of September 2012 seven people were killed in Kabale and Kisoro districts.


Source: http://www.redpepper.co.ug