Authorities in Uganda reported that a lightning strike claimed the lives of 14 people during a prayer service at a refugee camp on Saturday.
According to police, 34 others were injured in the incident.
“The victims, yet to be identified, had gathered for prayers when the rain started around 5:00 PM, and the lightning thunder struck at 5:30 PM,” said Kituuma Rusoke, a spokesperson for the police, on social media.
The Palabek refugee camp, located on Uganda's border with South Sudan, is home to approximately 80,000 people, the majority of whom have traveled from the country, according to the Lamwo District.
South Sudan has continued to face instability since a civil war formally ended in 2020.
Lightning strikes are particularly common in Africa’s central belt, and have occasionally caused deadly incidents in Uganda.
In 2020, the BBC reported that a lightning strike in northwestern Uganda claimed the lives of ten children. Likewise, in 2011, another strike resulted in the deaths of 18 children and their teacher, as reported by Reuters.
(Source: CNN)
Bd-Pratidin English/ARK
