Youth dies after lightning strike on house rooftop in capital

Riaz, 18, a youth, has died after being struck by lightning on the rooftop of a house in Hazaribagh of the capital. His four-year-old niece Antara has been injured in the incident.

The incident took place on the rooftop of a four-storey building in the Bowbazar area of Hazaribagh around 2:45pm on Monday (September 7). Relatives took Riaz in a critical condition to the emergency department of Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead around 3:45pm.

Riaz was the son of Md Yusuf of Char Ramani village under Lakshmipur Sadar upazila. He used to work in a shoe and leather factory in Hazaribagh. After leaving the job for some days and staying in the village, he came to Dhaka again one month ago to join work.

Md Sumon, a relative of Riaz, said Riaz and Antara had gone to the rooftop to get wet in the rain. Suddenly lightning struck and both became unconscious. Later they were quickly taken to a local private hospital. From there Riaz was taken to Dhaka Medical College Hospital where doctors declared him dead. Antara is under treatment at that private hospital.

Md Habibur Rahman, inspector in-charge of Dhaka Medical College Hospital police camp, said the body of Riaz has been kept at the hospital morgue for autopsy. Hazaribagh police station is investigating the incident.