Six people die in lightning in Bengal

rulia (WB) June 07, 2012 20:15 IST Six persons were killed and three suffered burn injuries today when lightning struck them in Birbhum and Purulia districts of West Bengal.

The police said Jamir Khan (40) and Maqbul Khan (19) died on the spot as lightning struck them when they were working in the field early in the morning at Gara village in Dubrajpur of Birbhum district.

Three other villagers, who were working with them, suffered burn injuries and were admitted to Suri Sadar Hospital, sources said.

In a separate incident, Partha Das (30) and Ruhul Amin (23) died this morning when they were hit by lightning while digging a pond under government-sponsored 100-day MGNREGA work at Parui in Birbhum district, officials said.

In two other incidents, Anil Mahato (45) and Shajahan Ansari (33) died when lightning struck them at Jhalda and Raghunathpur respectively in Purulia district.