3 killed by lightning strikes while fishing in Netrokona

Three people were killed in separate lightning strike incidents while fishing in water bodies in Madan and Kendua upazilas of Netrakona on Thursday morning (June 18).

The deceased were identified as Rajib Mia, 25, of Joypasha village in Madan upazila, Shamsul Huda, 49, of Dekhlai Paschimpara village, and Ashraful Islam, 25, of Dawki village in Kendua upazila.

According to local residents and administration officials, Rajib, an employee of a brick kiln, was fishing in Ganesh Haor near his home around 5:45am amid light rain when he was struck by lightning and died on the spot.

At around the same time, cloth trader Shamsul Huda was fishing in a canal connected to Murail Beel beside his house when lightning struck him. Locals later found his body and informed family members.

In a separate incident, Ashraful Islam was killed after being hit by lightning while fishing near Sandikona Canal in Kendua.

Police and local authorities confirmed the incidents, while officials from both upazilas visited the affected areas following the deaths.

Madan Upazila Nirbahi Officer Shamim Ahmed and Kendua UNO Md Rifatul Islam said the families of the victims would receive Tk 20,000 each in financial assistance under existing government disaster support provisions.

The latest fatalities have pushed this year’s lightning death toll in Netrokona to 14, according to the district administration’s disaster management and relief office.

Authorities have urged people to avoid open fields, water bodies and outdoor activities during adverse weather conditions.