2 power company officials killed by lightning strike in Shariatpur

Two officials of Shariatpur Palli Bidyut Samity were killed by a lightning strike at Shariatpur's Damudya upazila today.

The deceased were identified as Assistant General Manager Md Saiful Haque Khan and Assistant Junior Engineer Md Mostafizur Rahman of Damudya zonal office.

"The victims went to Jayalu village of Purba Damudya union in the upazila to inspect problems with the power line, were struck by lightning around 12:15pm and lost consciousness," Md Mehedi Hasan, officer-in-charge of Damudya Police Station, said quoting eyewitnesses.

Nearby staffers and locals took the duo to Damudya Upazila Health Complex for treatment where on-duty doctor of the emergency department declared them dead, the OC added.

"Both had died by the time they were brought to the hospital. They were killed by lightning strike. The bodies were sent to Shariatpur Sadar Hospital for autopsy," Dr Shekh Mohammad Mostafa, Damudya upazila health and family planning officer, said.

When contacted, Md Zulfikar Rahman, general manager of Shariatpur Palli Bidyut Samity, said, "Two officials of ours went to Jayalu village of Damudya upazila to monitor the power line problems. On their way back to the office, they took shelter in an under construction building due to the rough weather. Then both were victims of lightning strikes."