A 19-year-old girl has been killed by lightning in Kisoro District, police have confirmed.
The deceased, identified as Perfect Namara, was a resident of Kirundo Village, Kasharara Parish in Kirundo Sub- County. According to police, the incident occurred at around 7:00pm on Monday evening during a heavy downpour.
The Kigezi Regional Police Spokesperson, Elly Maate, said that Namara was inside her house with her father, George Bitwite, and her sister-in-law, Gloria Tuyisishimye, when lightning struck the house, rendering all three unconscious.
Maate explained that when Bitwite later regained consciousness, he discovered that his daughter had died.
Police said the incident was reported at Kirundo Police Station by George Irinatwe (46). Officers later visited the scene, where the body was found still at the home as arrangements were being made for a postmortem examination.
Police have cautioned residents to take extra care during thunderstorms, especially by avoiding unsafe structures and electrical installations.
CUE IN MAATE……ON THE INCIDENT……. RR/ENG//
Lightning kills an estimated 24,000 people globally each year, with many more suffering severe, long-term injuries. It is a major cause of weather-related fatalities, with fatalities often occurring during summer storms.
